Emerging or re-emerging viruses are still major threats to public health.
Prophylactic vaccines represent the most effective way to prevent viral infections.
However, antiviral therapies are more promising for those viruses against which
vaccines are not effective enough or contemporarily unavailable. The emergence of
repurposed drugs for antiviral therapy has gained significant attention in recent years
due to their potential to offer cost-effective solutions amidst the ongoing challenges
posed by emerging and re-emerging viral infections. This book chapter provides a
comprehensive analysis of the pharmacoeconomics surrounding the repurposing of
drugs for antiviral therapy. It examines the economic implications of repurposed drugs
compared to traditional drug development approaches, considering factors including
development costs, time-to-market, regulatory pathways, cost-effectiveness, etc.
Furthermore, the chapter explores the impact of repurposed antiviral drugs on
healthcare systems, highlighting their potential to mitigate the economic burden
associated with viral outbreaks. Finally, we discuss potential avenues for further
investigation in drug repurposing efforts.
Keywords: Antiviral therapies, Clinical efficacy, Clinical trials, Comprehensive analysis, Cost-effectiveness, Drug development, Drug discovery, Drug effectiveness, Drug repurposing, Economic burden, Viral infections.
