Coronavirus
Developing countries will pay less for COVID-19 drug – Gilead reveals
After making the announcement on Monday, Gilead’s share price jumped up 2.7% to in premarket trading.
After weeks of debate of how Topline Gilead Sciences would develop pricing that balances social responsibility with its profits, the company has announced the pricing plan for Remdesivir, its coronavirus treatment drug.
According to the plan announced, countries in the developing world will pay much less for the drugs, than their counterparts in the developed world.
Forbes reports that the company said in its Monday statement, that the government of developed countries, including programs like Medicare in the U.S., will pay $2,340 for a typical five-day treatment course, or $390 per vial for six vials.
Though no figure was given, the company stated that developing countries, where the drug has been licensed to generic manufacturers, will pay significantly less.
On the other hand, private insurance companies in the United States will pay a lot more, $3,120 for a five-day course of treatment, or $520 per vial.
According to the company, the pricing plan announced is “well below” the drug’s value and showed responsibility on the part of the company.
“Remdesivir, our investigational treatment, is the first antiviral to have demonstrated patient improvement in clinical trials for COVID-19 and there is no playbook for how to price a new medicine in a pandemic,” Gilead CEO Daniel O’Day wrote in an open letter on Monday.
READ MORE: UK scientists discover cheap drug (just N2.5k) that can combat Covid-19
The company estimates that it will reduce hospital costs by $12,000 per patient, as data shows that COVID-19 patients taking Remdesivir were discharged from the hospital four days earlier than those undergoing a standard treatment plan.
After donating its 1.5 million doses of Remdesivir to the U.S. government to allocate on an as-needed basis through the end of June, the company also announced that it will begin charging for the drug from July 1, 2020.
After making the announcement on Monday, Gilead’s share price jumped up 2.7% to in premarket trading.
The Food and Drug Administration authorized Remdesivir for emergency use in May after the drug showed promising results in early clinical trials, although the FDA has not given official approval to the drug as this normally takes years.
Coronavirus
COVID-19 Update in Nigeria
On the 30th of October 2020, 170 new confirmed cases and 3 deaths were recorded in Nigeria
The spread of novel Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria continues to record significant increases as the latest statistics provided by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reveal Nigeria now has 62,691 confirmed cases.
On the 30th of October 2020, 170 new confirmed cases and 3 deaths were recorded in Nigeria, having carried out a total daily test of 3,008 samples across the country.
To date, 62,521 cases have been confirmed, 58,249 cases have been discharged and 1,141 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. A total of 620,758 tests have been carried out as of October 30th, 2020 compared to 617,750 tests a day earlier.
COVID-19 Case Updates- 30th October 2020,
- Total Number of Cases – 62,691
- Total Number Discharged – 58,430
- Total Deaths – 1,144
- Total Tests Carried out – 620,758
According to the NCDC, the 170 new cases were reported from 11 states- Lagos (106), FCT (25), Oyo (14), Edo (7), Kaduna (7), Ogun (4), Bauchi (2), Benue (2), Kano (1), Osun (1), Rivers (1)
Meanwhile, the latest numbers bring Lagos state total confirmed cases to 21,212, followed by Abuja (6,053), Plateau (3,630), Oyo (3,447), Rivers (2,810), Edo (2,664), Kaduna (2,648), Ogun (2,031), Delta (1,814), Kano (1,747), Ondo (1,666), Enugu (1,314), Kwara (1,069), Ebonyi (1,049), Katsina (952), Osun (926), Abia (898), Gombe (883). Borno (745), and Bauchi (713).
Imo State has recorded 616 cases, Benue (493), Nasarawa (482), Bayelsa (412), Ekiti (332), Jigawa (325), Akwa Ibom (295), Anambra (277), Niger (274), Adamawa (257), Sokoto (165), Taraba (146), Kebbi (93), Cross River (87), Yobe (82), Zamfara (79), while Kogi state has recorded 5 cases only.
READ ALSO: COVID-19: Western diplomats warn of disease explosion, poor handling by government
Lock Down and Curfew
In a move to combat the spread of the pandemic disease, President Muhammadu Buhari directed the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days, which took effect from 11 pm on Monday, 30th March 2020.
The movement restriction, which was extended by another two-weeks period, has been partially put on hold with some businesses commencing operations from May 4. On April 27th, 2020, Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari declared an overnight curfew from 8 pm to 6 am across the country, as part of new measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19. This comes along with the phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos, and Ogun States, which took effect from Saturday, 2nd May 2020, at 9 am.
On Monday, 29th June 2020 the federal government extended the second phase of the eased lockdown by 4 weeks and approved interstate movement outside curfew hours with effect from July 1, 2020. Also, on Monday 27th July 2020, the federal government extended the second phase of eased lockdown by an additional one week.
On Thursday, 6th August 2020 the federal government through the secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 announced the extension of the second phase of eased lockdown by another four (4) weeks.
READ ALSO: Bill Gates says Trump’s WHO funding suspension is dangerous
Coronavirus
Cristiano Ronaldo now tests negative for Coronavirus
Cristiano Ronaldo tested negative for coronavirus after nearly three weeks that he tested positive.
Juventus F.C. star, Cristiano Ronaldo, has tested negative for coronavirus, nearly three weeks after he tested positive.
This was disclosed by his club via its website on Friday.
It stated, “Ronaldo carried out a check with a diagnostic test (swab) for COVID-19. The exam provided a negative result.
“The player has, therefore, recovered after 19 days and is no longer subjected to home isolation.”
What you should know
Ronaldo had tested positive for COVID-19 on October 13, while playing with Portugal. He had been in self-isolation since returning to Italy.
The 35-year-old missed four games including Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Lionel Messi’s Barcelona, and Juventus’s 2-0 win at Dynamo Kiev in their Group G opener.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s return will be a boost for Andrea Pirlo’s faltering side who are fifth in Serie A, four points behind leaders AC Milan.
Coronavirus
FG warns Nigerians about on-going N3million COVID-19 grant scam
FG has warned Nigerians to beware of scammers using phishing links to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
The Federal Government has issued a warning to Nigerians about an ongoing N3million COVID-19 scam in circulation.
This was disclosed by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning via its Twitter handle.
According to the government, the scam targets Nigerians looking to benefit from the Federal Government assistance to businesses affected by COVID-19.
READ: #EndSARS: FG creates new N25 billion Youth Fund, to increase to N75 billion in 3 years
In the tweet, it warned about some phishing links being shared on social media, requesting for applications for N3 Million FG Grants.
It tweeted, “The general public should note that these phishing links are generated by Scammers and intended to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.
“Government requests for applications are only via official channels & websites.
READ: FG earmarks over N190 billion for road construction in the 6 geo-political zones by 2021
READ: I won’t approve 2021 budget without provisions for #EndSARS victims, ASUU – Gbajabiamila
“It has come to our attention that a link is being shared via social media requesting for applications for a FG N3 Million grant.
“The general public should note that this is a SCAM. Any requests for applications are only via official channels & websites. Pls beware! #FinMinNigeria.”
It has come to our attention that a link is being shared via social media requesting for applications for a FG 3 Million grant. The general public should note that this is a SCAM. Any requests for applications are only via official channels & websites. Pls beware! #FinMinNigeria pic.twitter.com/C0Z2EcUbQF
— Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (@FinMinNigeria) October 27, 2020
What they are saying
Okebunmi Omolaja, has tasked the Federal Government to take its warning further from the social media to other publicity tools in order to spread the information across Nigeria.
He said, “The Ministry can help by carrying the awareness campaigns to States radio stations or federal officers in each States to meet the CDA Leaders of their traditional rulers palaces/govt schools premises.”
READ: 2021 Budget: Senate sets motion for budget defense, commences 2020 review
READ: FG disburses MSMEs Survival Fund in Lagos, Kano, FCT and 9 other states
The Ministry can help by carrying the awareness campaigns to States radio stations or federal officers in each States to meet the CDA Leaders of their traditional rulers palaces/govt schools premises.
— okebunmi omolaja (@Okebunmilajman) October 28, 2020
Explore some Advanced Financial Calculators on Nairametrics
US military rescue American hostage in Northern Nigeria
Just-in: N30,000 Survival Fund: First batch of beneficiaries are receiving grants — FG
FAAC disburses N682.06 billion to 3 tiers of govt in September [Full-List]
We plan to make migration of doctors unattractive – Health Minister
WTO: Nigeria to persuade the US to join the consensus on Okonjo-Iweala – Trade Ministry
COVID-19 Update in Nigeria
Canada to receive over 1.2 million immigrants in next 3 years
Ikeja Electric launches mass metering programme
Nigeria’s food Inflation rises by 110.5% in five years
Total, Nestle, lead Nigerian Stocks to record high
