Etihad Cargo has helped facilitate the first global shipment of a “revolutionary” anti-Covid-19 medication, to Abu Dhabi.

The company partnered with the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, group purchasing organisation Rafed and biopharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for the expedited approval and receipt of the first batch of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) approved Sotrovimab medicine.

The anti-viral treatment is said to be able to prevent severe cases and death for selected Covid-19 patients by more than 85 per cent. Sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody treatment delivered through intravenous therapy, is now available for early treatment of certain categories of Covid-19 patients in the UAE.

Sotrovimab can be used to treat adults and children above the age of 12 who meet certain criteria and are at risk of progressing to severe Covid-19, as per protocols that have been developed by the National Scientific Committee.

Etihad Cargo utilised its IATA CEIV-certified ‘PharmaLife’ product to enable the shipment. Abu Dhabi-based Rafed will facilitate the procurement, storage and distribution of Sotrovimab via the Rafed Distribution Center, a specialised cold-storage facility which has supported the efforts of the Hope Consortium.

“This achievement further elevates Abu Dhabi’s leading position in the fight against Covid-19, and firmly illustrates the combined capabilities of those entities at the forefront of the capital’s mission,” said Etihad Aviation Group’s group chief executive officer Tony Douglas.

“As the UAE’s national carrier, Etihad has played a critical role facilitating the transportation of vaccines and medical supplies to and from the UAE with its specialist pharmaceutical logistics solution.”

HE Dr Jamal Mohamed Kaabi, undersecretary for the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, said: “Abu Dhabi continues in its efforts to maintain its number one city position globally in terms of resilience and safety in Covid-19 times. Through the non-ending support and guidance from our leadership, we continue in our daily pre-emptive efforts to search, assess and source through local and international collaboration, the best evidence-based treatment to our population in Abu Dhabi, UAE and beyond.

“This medicine is at the forefront of pharmaceutical advancement and is a powerful tool in our fight to end this pandemic. We look forward to implement the eligibility criteria for emergency use of Sotrovimab as part of Abu Dhabi’s commitment to lead an all-encompassing Covid-19 response in prevention, treatment and care.”

Rafed CEO Rashed Al Qubaisi said Sotrovimab represented a “massive breakthrough” in the fight against Covid-19. “Through our close collaboration and partnership with the Department of Health and GSK, we have been able to work swiftly in the procurement of the medication to ensure an effective and timely roll-out across the UAE,” said Al Qubaisi. “The Rafed Distribution Center continues to fulfil its mission of better serving the UAE public and extending Abu Dhabi’s Covid-19 response to the world.”