Drug Repositioning: New Approaches and Future Prospects for Life-Debilitating Diseases and the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak

The document reviewed drug repositioning as a cost-effective and time-saving strategy to find new uses for existing drugs, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlighted the potential of drugs like Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir, and Ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment, though their effectiveness remained uncertain. The review emphasized the role of computational methods and artificial intelligence in enhancing drug discovery processes. Notable examples of successful repositioning included Minoxidil for hair loss and Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction. Despite challenges like regulatory hurdles, drug repositioning offered significant benefits, including reduced development costs and accelerated availability of treatments for urgent health needs.