Claim Review: Remdesivir Caused Deaths Among U.S. Military Servicemen

Introduction

A recent article published on a website known for spreading misinformation claims that remdesivir, a drug promoted by Dr. Anthony Fauci for treating COVID-19, caused the deaths of U.S. military servicemen during clinical trials. The article cites a military whistleblower and a set of documents referred to as the 'Remdesivir Papers.' This claim review aims to evaluate the veracity of these allegations.

Background on Remdesivir

Remdesivir is an antiviral medication developed by Gilead Sciences Inc. It was initially tested as a treatment for Ebola and later repurposed for COVID-19. The drug received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA in May 2020 and full approval in October 2020 for treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

The Claim

The article alleges that hundreds of people became seriously injured or died as a result of taking remdesivir in clinical trials. It also claims that participants were not provided with proper informed consent and that the methodologies used to test the drug were skewed. The whistleblower, using the pseudonym Daniel LeMay, is said to have worked with J.M. Phelps to compile this information.

Evaluation of the Claim

To evaluate the claim, it is essential to examine the available scientific evidence and the credibility of the sources cited in the article.

Scientific Evidence

Several peer-reviewed studies have been conducted on remdesivir's efficacy and safety. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that remdesivir was superior to placebo in shortening the time to recovery in adults hospitalized with COVID-19. Another study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine  reported that remdesivir did not significantly improve clinical outcomes or reduce mortality in severe COVID-19 patients.

While these studies indicate that remdesivir may not be a highly effective treatment for COVID-19, they do not support the claim that the drug caused widespread deaths among military servicemen during clinical trials.

Credibility of Sources

The article cites a military whistleblower and a set of documents referred to as the 'Remdesivir Papers.' However, the credibility of these sources is questionable. The article does not provide verifiable evidence to support the whistleblower's claims, and the 'Remdesivir Papers' are not publicly available for independent review.

Furthermore, the article is published on a website known for spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories. The website has a history of publishing false and misleading content, which undermines the credibility of the claims made in the article.

Conclusion

Based on the available scientific evidence and the lack of credible sources to support the claims made in the article, the allegation that remdesivir caused the deaths of U.S. military servicemen during clinical trials is largely unsubstantiated. While remdesivir may not be a highly effective treatment for COVID-19, there is no credible evidence to suggest that it caused widespread deaths among military servicemen during clinical trials.

It is crucial to rely on credible scientific sources and peer-reviewed studies when evaluating claims about medical treatments. Misinformation and conspiracy theories can undermine public trust in healthcare and hinder efforts to combat diseases like COVID-19.