The World Health Organization began recommending the use of medicines called interleukin-6 receptor blockers as COVID-19 treatments for the severely ill, based on the findings of a large clinical study published Tuesday in JAMA. Roche Holding AG's
ROG,
+0.54%
Actemra and Sanofi
SNY,
-0.52%
and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s
REGN,
+1.23%
Kevzara are both approved in the U.S. as treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. The WHO said in a statement that "these are the first drugs found to be effective against COVID-19 since corticosteroids." Actemra received emergency authorization as a COVID-19 treatment last month. Research indicates the drugs can reduce the risk of death by 13% and reduce the risk of needing ventilation by 28%. However, even after recommending the drugs, the health organization called on the manufacturers to reduce prices and provide the medicines to people in low- and middle-income countries.