An Overview on Anti-COVID-19 Drug Achievements and Challenges Ahead

The appearance of several coronavirus pandemics/epidemicsduringthe last two decades (SARS-CoV-1 in 2002, MERS-CoV in 2012, and SARS-CoV-2in 2019) indicates that humanity will face increasing challenges fromcoronaviruses in the future. The emergence of new strains with similartransmission characteristics as SARS-CoV-2 and mortality rates similarto SARS-CoV-1 (& SIM;10% mortality) or MERS-CoV (& SIM;35% mortality)in the future is a terrifying possibility. Therefore, getting enoughpreparations to face such risks is an inevitable necessity. The presentstudy aims to review the drug achievements and challenges in the fightagainst SARS-CoV-2 with a combined perspective derived from pharmacology,pharmacotherapy, and medicinal chemistry insights. Appreciating allthe efforts made during the past few years, there is strong evidencethat the desired results have not yet been achieved and research inthis area should still be pursued seriously. By expressing some pessimisticpossibilities and concluding that the drug discovery and pharmacotherapyof COVID-19 have not been successful so far, this short essay triesto draw the attention of responsible authorities to be more preparedagainst future coronavirus epidemics/pandemics.