In this file photo taken on June 16, 2020, a pharmacist holds a box of dexamethasone tablets at a chemists shop in London. — AFP
In this file photo taken on June 16, 2020, a pharmacist holds a box of dexamethasone tablets at a chemists shop in London. — AFP

The keenly-awaited full results from a UK trial of the steroid dexamethasone has been published, confirming its life-saving benefits for Covid-19 patients on ventilators but suggesting it may cause harm if given too early.

A total of 2,104 hospitalised patients were assigned to receive six milligram daily doses of the medicine for up to 10 days, and 4,321 to receive usual care, with the rate of deaths compared after 28 days.

Among patients on ventilators, the rate of death for patients on the drug was 29.3pc compared to 41.4 per cent on those without. In other words, this group saw a 29pc reduction in mortality, just under a third.

Read the full story here.

Opinion

Editorial

A new deal
16 Jun, 2026

A new deal

AFTER three and a half months of war between US-Israel and Iran and an acrimonious temporary ceasefire, a genuine...
Charter of economy
16 Jun, 2026

Charter of economy

NO one expected the PTI to accept the government’s invitation to sign a charter of economy; just as few expected...
Hostage seamen
16 Jun, 2026

Hostage seamen

SOME 50 days on, 11 Pakistani nationals are still in Somali pirates’ captivity. Their appeals to the Pakistani and...
Climate choices
Updated 15 Jun, 2026

Climate choices

The country is confronting increasingly volatile weather patterns with consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, public health and economic planning.
Brief opening
15 Jun, 2026

Brief opening

WE have been here before. Throughout the weekend, there was great anticipation that a tentative framework for peace...
Environmental disaster
15 Jun, 2026

Environmental disaster

IT was a heartbreaking sight. A recent news report in these pages carried a picture of a sea turtle lying half ...