After World Health Organisation (WHO) welcomed the positive results of Dexamethasone in treating coronavirus patients, Pakistan is now also considering including the medicine in treating its patients.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Health Zafar Mirza said that the initial clinical trial results from the United Kingdom show Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, can be lifesaving for patients who are critically ill with COVID-19.

He said the Pakistan's expert will also consider inclusion of the medicine. He said Dexamethasone is an old and cheap anti-inflammatory medicine (steroid), adding that Pakistan have multiple producers.

However, he cautioned that the medicine is solely used for critically ill COVID-19 patients who are on oxygen and ventilators.

"The medicine MUST NOT be used by mild to moderate patients; self-medication is strictly prohibited and can be dangerous as the medicine has many side-effects," he tweeted.