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Review Paper | Public Health | Volume 15 Issue 4, April 2026 | Pages: 1871 - 1884 | India
Post-Pandemic Therapeutic Strategies for COVID-19: Current Approaches, Challenges, and Future Directions
Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has evolved from a global pandemic into an endemic health concern, necessitating a shift in therapeutic strategies. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of post-pandemic drug approaches, highlighting current treatments, emerging challenges, and future directions in COVID-19 management. Initially, treatment relied heavily on repurposed drugs such as remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, and dexamethasone, with variable efficacy and safety outcomes. Over time, advancements in clinical research led to the development of targeted therapies and evidence-based treatment protocols. In the post-pandemic phase, oral antivirals such as molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) have become central to early outpatient management, demonstrating effectiveness in reducing disease severity and hospitalization. Immunomodulatory agents, including corticosteroids, interleukin-6 inhibitors, and Janus kinase inhibitors, play a critical role in managing severe inflammatory responses such as cytokine storm. However, monoclonal antibody therapies have shown reduced effectiveness due to the emergence of viral variants, particularly those with mutations in the spike protein. Vaccination remains a cornerstone of long-term control, with booster strategies and next-generation vaccines enhancing protection against evolving variants. Despite these advances, significant challenges persist, including antiviral resistance, continuous viral evolution, unequal access to therapies in low- and middle-income countries, and the impact of misinformation on rational drug use. Additionally, the growing burden of Long COVID presents new therapeutic challenges, requiring multidisciplinary and symptom-based management approaches. Future strategies emphasize personalized medicine, integration of artificial intelligence in drug discovery, development of broad-spectrum antivirals, and improved global preparedness for emerging infectious diseases. In conclusion, post-pandemic therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 reflect a transition toward targeted, adaptive, and evidence-based approaches, underscoring the need for continuous research and global collaboration to address evolving challenges and improve patient outcomes.
Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, post-pandemic strategies, Antiviral therapy, Immunomodulators, Monoclonal antibodies, Vaccination, Drug resistance, Long COVID, Drug repurposing, Personalized medicine, Artificial intelligence in drug discovery
How to Cite?: Omkar Chougule, Pranjali Gadakari, "Post-Pandemic Therapeutic Strategies for COVID-19: Current Approaches, Challenges, and Future Directions", Volume 15 Issue 4, April 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1871-1884, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26429043025, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26429043025