Researchers say they've found world's only oral drug that fights COVID-19

Researchers at the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI) in Canada claim to have found an effective drug to treat non-hospitalized patients for COVID-19.

The MHI says its ColCorona clinical trial has given “clinically persuasive” results of the drug’s treatment against the virus. The drug, colchicine, is an oral tablet that is known to treat other diseases.

Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, director of the MHI Research Centre who led the study, says the study was a “major scientific discovery… We are pleased to offer the first oral medication in the world whose use could have a significant impact on public health and potentially prevent COVID-19 complications for millions of patients.”

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According to a press release from MHI, the ColCorona study involved 4,159 patients who had tested positive for COVID-19 via a PCR test. The study found that colchicine reduced hospitalizations by 25%, ventilator needs by 50%, and virus-related deaths by 44%.

“Prescribing colchicine to patients could help alleviate the problems of hospital congestion and reduce healthcare costs here and around the world,” says MHI.