Leprosy drug holds promise treating Covid, says Yuen Kwok-yung

University of Hong Kong microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung has hailed as "exciting" research that shows a drug used to treat leprosy is also effective against Covid-19, RTHK reports.

Researchers in Hong Kong, the United States and Denmark say the drug clofazimine is effective against the virus.

Yuen, who took part in the research, said the drug is safe and much cheaper than a currently-used antiviral drug, remdesivir.

He told a radio show on Wednesday that clofazimine can be taken orally and researchers are modifying it so it can be better absorbed.

"In less developed countries, they can't afford remdesivir. So a drug that can be taken orally and in the early stages of the illness ... would be ideal," Yuen said, adding that the World Health Organisation isn't sure about the effectiveness of remdesivir against Covid.

But Yuen said further trials are needed, and these would be difficult to conduct in Hong Kong as there aren't enough coronavirus patients.

He also praised health authorities for their handling of a Covid-19 outbreak at a Sai Ying Pun gym, which left almost 130 people infected.

Yuen said cases dropped quickly after officials acted to quarantine close contacts.