Arthritis drug used to treat Covid-19 in short supply globally

There are nearly 1m people with arthritis in Ireland while rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common type here. Stock picture.

An arthritis drug that is also used to treat Covid-19 patients is in short supply globally, with one consultant estimating there are just 300 doses left in Ireland.

Deliveries of the drug tocilizumab, sold as Roactemra, a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, are not expected to resume until early September.