New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Monday released first batch of anti-COVID drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The 2-deoxy-D-glucose drug, the first such medicine in India meant to treat Covid-19 infections, is likely to be available from the coming week, news agency ANI reported. In the first batch, 10,000 doses of this medicine will be launched.
Manufacturers:
The drug has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s laboratory Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences. Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has been a partner and it is manufacturing the drug for public use.
Availability in markets from June
The 2-G drug shall be made available to all the hospitals across the country from the first week of June, said DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy.
“The first batch of anti-COVID drug 2-DG will be used in a limited manner. It will be used in AIIMS, Armed Forces Hospitals, DRDO hospitals and any other places where the need arises. From June onwards it will be made available to all hospitals,” said Reddy speaking to reporters here today.
The DRDO chief further said the production is underway and the second batch of the drug will come around last week of May. The regular production will take place from June onwards commencing from the first week, he added.
How will the drug work?
The drug comes in powder form in a sachet, which is taken orally by dissolving it in water. It accumulates in the virus-infected cells and prevents virus growth by stopping viral synthesis and energy production. Its selective accumulation in virally infected cells makes this drug unique.
A virus that is multiplying fast in the body needs glucose for energy. Thus, the virus will take this glucose analogue and will get arrested. The drug will then stop the virus from multiplying.
Recently approved anti-COVID oral drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), developed by @DRDO_India, will help patients recover faster! Watch to know more. #IndiaFightsCorona @PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA @drharshvardhan @PIB_India @MIB_India @PrakashJavdekar pic.twitter.com/wPqADAlkuP
— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) May 11, 2021
Price
INMAS scientist Dr Sudhir Chandna has said that the pricing will be determined by Dr Reddy’s laboratories, which is manufacturing the doses. Dr Mishra said the pricing will be done keeping affordability in mind.
Dosage
This drug is taken with water, twice a day. A Covid-19 patient may have to take this drug for five to seven days to get completely cured.
What Dr Harsh Vardhan said
In the ongoing second COVID-19 wave, a large number of patients are facing severe oxygen dependency and need hospitalisation. The drug is expected to save precious lives due to the mechanism of operation of the drug in infected cells. This also reduces the hospital stay of COVID-19 patients.
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said that recovery time from COVID-19 infection and oxygen dependency will be reduced by anti-COVID drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
“I hope that this drug will serve the world and not just India in the fight against COVID-19 in the coming days,” he further said.
