You are here:   Home/ Development News/ Health

Experimental Ebola drug sent to West Africa, supply "exhausted": U.S. firm

Xinhua, August 12, 2014 Adjust font size:

The experimental Ebola drug given to two American aid workers has been sent to a West African country that requested it, and the supply of the drug is now " exhausted," U.S. manufacturer Mapp Biopharmaceutical said Monday.

The San Diego-based company said in a statement posted on its website it received the request this weekend for the drug known as ZMapp but didn't make public the country's name.

The company said that it has complied with every request for ZMapp that had the necessary legal and regulatory authorization and that it provided the drug at no cost in all cases.

"It is the requesters' decision whether they wish to make public their request, acquisition, or use of the experimental drug, " the statement said. "Any decision to use ZMapp must be made by the patients' medical team."

While there is no known cure for the disease, two U.S. aid workers diagnosed with Ebola while treating patients in Liberia are reportedly both feeling stronger after receiving ZMapp.

A Spanish priest, who was flown home from Liberia recently after being confirmed as suffering from Ebola, is also reportedly receiving the experimental treatment.

However, that has raised questions about whether the untested and unapproved drug should be used in the outbreak.

Bookmark and Share

Related News & Photos