Patients across the UK who are admitted to intensive care units due to coronavirus are set to receive new life-saving treatments which can reduce the time spent in hospital by up to 10 days.

Results from the government-funded REMAP-CAP clinical trial showed that tocilizumab and sarilumab reduced the relative risk of death by 24 per cent, when administered to patients within 24 hours of entering intensive care.

Most of the data came from when the drugs were administered in addition to a corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, which is provided as standard of care to the NHS.

The study found that patients receiving these drugs left intensive care between seven to 10 days earlier on average. The government therefore believes that the rollout of these treatments could contribute significantly towards reducing pressures on hospitals over the coming weeks and months.

The government and the NHS will issue updated guidance to trusts across the UK, encouraging them to use tocilizumab in their treatment of coronavirus patients who are admitted to intensive care units, effective immediately.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The UK has proven time and time again it is at the very forefront of identifying and providing the most promising, innovative treatments for its patients. Today’s results are yet another landmark development in finding a way out of this pandemic and, when added to the armoury of vaccines and treatments already being rolled out, will play a significant role in defeating this virus.

“We have worked quickly to ensure this treatment is available to NHS patients without delay, meaning hundreds of lives will be saved. I am hugely proud of the significant role our NHS and its patients have played in this international trial, and grateful to the outstanding scientists and clinicians behind REMAP-CAP who have brought this treatment to our patients.”