The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved a drug called 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) for emergency use among people with moderate and severe COVID-19.
Context
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved a drug called 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) for emergency use among people with moderate and severe COVID-19.
About the 2-DG
- Therapeutic: 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) is a modified glucose molecule that has some therapeutic value as an anticancer and antiviral agent.
- It is used in diagnostic testing and research-related activities.
- Working: 2-DG halts the spread of COVID-19 inside the body cells.
- The 2 DG drug, spreads through the body, reaches the virus-infected cells.
- It prevents virus growth by stopping viral synthesis and destroys the protein's energy production.
- The drug also works on virus infection that help us to decrease patients dependability on oxygen.
- Development: The drug was jointly developed by Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences under the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), and the pharmaceutical giant Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.
- Criticism: In line with the DCGI’s approval for favipiravir, itolizumaband Verafin, the approval for 2-DG is based on poor evidence.
Drugs Controller General of India
- It is the head of department of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
- It is responsible for approval of licences of specified categories of drugs.
- DCGI sets standards for manufacturing, sales, import, and distribution of drugs in India.
- It was established under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
- It comes under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
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