Long COVID clinical trials a step in the right direction, but scale doesn’t match the need, researchers say
Paxlovid will be one of the existing treatments being tested for effectiveness in patients with long COVID. Europa Press via AP
The National Institutes of Health announced Monday it was enrolling hundreds of people in phase 2 clinical trials that will evaluate at least four potential treatments for long COVID.
The news underscores that the government recognizes the importance of developing treatment therapies to improve the lives of thousands of people who never completely recovered from the novel coronavirus, Northeastern researchers Kristin Kostka and Mauricio Santillana say.
Mansoor Amiji, distinguished professor in Northeastern’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, says that in the case of long COVID, existing treatments such as Paxlovid are being tested “so you don’t need a phase 1 trial.”