Featured Post from Cedarville University

Covering Remdesivir – Contact an expert from Cedarville first

May 4, 2020

2 min

Zach Jenkins


There has been a lot of talk about treatment, vaccinations and drugs that are being used during the CVOID-19 pandemic.


The latest is Remdesivir – and it is getting a lot of attention.


The US's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised emergency use of the Ebola drug remdesivir for treating the coronavirus.


The authorisation means the anti-viral drug can now be used on people who are hospitalised with severe Covid-19.


A recent clinical trial showed the drug helped shorten the recovery time for people who were seriously ill.


However, it did not significantly improve survival rates.


Experts have warned the drug - which was originally developed to treat Ebola, and is produced by Gilead pharmaceutical company in California - should not be seen as a "magic bullet" for coronavirus.




What do we know about remdesivir?


The drug did not cure Ebola, and Gilead says on its website: "Remdesivir is an experimental medicine that does not have established safety or efficacy for the treatment of any condition." Gilead also warns of possible serious side-effects.

However, President Trump has been a vocal supporter of remdesivir as a potential treatment for the coronavirus.


In its clinical trial, whose full results are yet to be released, the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) found that remdesivir cut the duration of symptoms from 15 days down to 11.


The trials involved 1,063 people at hospitals around the world - including the US, France, Italy, the UK, China and South Korea. Some patients were given the drug and others were given a placebo (dummy) treatment.


Dr Anthony Fauci who runs NIAID, said that remdesivir had "a clear-cut, significant, positive effect in diminishing the time to recovery".


However, although remdesivir may aid recovery - and possibly stop people having to be treated in intensive care - the trials did not give any clear indication whether it can prevent deaths from coronavirus.  May 02 - BBC



There are still a lot of questions to be asked:


  • When could it be ready for mass distribution?
  • How is it administered?
  • Who can get it?
  • And how much will it cost?


If you are a journalist covering this emerging issue – then let our experts help.


Dr. Zach Jenkins is an infectious disease expert at Cedarville University. He is available to speak with media about this topic – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.



Connect with:
Zach Jenkins

Zach Jenkins

Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice & Clinical Specialist, Infectious Diseases

Dr. Zach Jenkins is an infectious disease expert who loves educating others about superbugs, antibiotic therapy, and emergency preparedness.

VaccinesSuperbugsVirusesCOVID-19Infectious Diseases

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from Cedarville University

1 min

Farewell to the Penny

Since its creation in 1792, the penny has had a notable role in American currency. But 2026, will mark the end of the one cent after 233 years.  In June of 2025, the U.S. Treasury made its final order for penny blanks. The U.S. Mint stated that it's lost $85.3 million on the 3.2 billion pennies they produced in the 2024 fiscal year. It is estimated that the government will save $56 million annually once the production of the penny stops.  The penny was one of the first coins produced by the U.S. Mint in 1792 and was originally designed by Benjamin Franklin. Since then, the penny has been used to mark significant events in American history as its design has changed over the years. The penny, starting in 1857, has been the smallest form of currency used in America.  Now the nickel will become the smallest coin to be used in cash purchases. With this change it is expected that getting your exact change will become difficult, causing businesses to either round up or round down to the nearest five cents.  Dr. Jared Pincin is an expert on economics and is available to speak to media regarding penny production and the economy – simply click on his icon or email mweinstein@cedarville.edu to arrange an interview.

1 min

What's Happening with the Measles Outbreak?

Fear rises in the hearts of Americans as news of the measles outbreak has surfaced across media platforms. The entrance of the measles vaccine in 1963, enabled the US to eradicate measles by 2000. Due to international contact with those who have not eliminated measles caused it to resurface in 2018. The following year saw 764 cases making it the highest number of cases in 25 years.  This year the measles outbreak has reached the news again with reports of 14 outbreaks and 977 of the 1,088 cases caused by the outbreaks. The year prior to 2025 saw 16 outbreak reports, but fewer cases.   So far 2025 has experienced three deaths (two children and one adult) due to measles. Children and teens under 20 make up 67% of the cases and 96% of infections are found in those who have not been vaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown.   Dr. Zach Jenkins, professor of pharmacy practice and director of advanced pharmacy practice experiences of at Cedarville University. To schedule an interview, email Mark D. Weinstein, executive director of public relations at Cedarville University at mweinstein@cedarville.edu or click on his icon. 

2 min

Why Did NATO Assembly Select Dayton, Ohio?

Why was Dayton, Ohio selected to host the 2025 Spring NATO Parliamentary Assembly? Ohio's Gem City will host 282 NATO members and nearly 100 partner legislators for gathering. This is the first time in 20 years that a U.S. city held this meeting. The NATO civilians are gathering at The NATO Village, a secure location in downtown Dayton, to discuss critical issues in relation to NATO's defense and security agenda. They will also be examining the war in Ukraine.  Two logistical reasons for why Dayton was selected is its proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a base that focuses on national security, and Dayton is the location where the Dayton Peace Accords were signed 30 years ago. The Accords aided in the ending of the Bosnian War. Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10), head of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, has been the driving force behind getting the Parliamentary Assembly to Dayton. During this five-day event NATO leaders will examine membership, defense funding, increasing fiscal contributions, strategic deterrence and transatlantic security bond. It is expected that at least two new plans will be proposed to assist in the aforementioned goals. The leaders wish to ensure Ukraine of their support in their fight for freedom and will be considering ways to enforce their support.  Dr. Glen Duerr, professor of international studies at Cedarville University and a citizen of the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, is a nationally known expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding the NATO Spring Parliamentary Assembly and the implications is has for the U.S. and Dayton, Ohio. To schedule an interview, email Mark D. Weinstein, executive director of public relations at Cedarville University at mweinstein@cedarville.edu or click on his icon.      

View all posts
Powered by