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India’s Drug Regulator approves DRDO’s New COVID Drug

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Science & Technology
  • Published
    13th May, 2021

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.

Verifying, please be patient.

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