(Image source from: zeenews.india.com)
Union defence minister Rajnath Singh and health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launched the first batch of the Anti-Covid drug named 2DG (2-deoxy-D-glucose) that is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This is said to be the first indigenous research-based outcome to fight coronavirus and it reduces the recovery time along with the oxygen dependency. Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the DRDO played a crucial role in developing the drug. He said that the drug will fight to battle coronavirus globally and it will not be restricted to India. Dr Harsh Vardhan congratulated the DRDO and the scientists who worked on the 2DG. Union defense minister Rajnath Singh said that the scarcity of oxygen is resolved in the country. and the production is increased. He said that the country will fight against the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) approved the oral drug 2DG for emergency use in the country to treat the severe coronavirus patients. The clinical trials of 2DG helped the patients to recover from coronavirus on a faster note as it reduces the dependency of supplemental oxygen. The drug is expected to save several lives in this tough pandemic time. The anti-Covid therapeutic application of the drug has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS). The drug comes in a powder form and is packed in a sachet and can be used with water.
Among the first batch, 10,000 doses will be available and Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratories are manufacturing 2DG. The price is yet to be announced and 2DG can be taken twice in a day with water. The coronavirus patient will have to take the drug for 5-7 days to recover completely. Each sachet is expected to cost between Rs 500-600.
By Siva Kumar
