DRDO to launch 2-DG next week | Fusion - WeRIndia

To help COVID-19 patient recover fast, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is approving several drugs for emergency use. 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) drug is one among them.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed the drug in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.

Earlier, the DCGI approved it for emergency use. Hence, DRDO is going to launch the drug in the next week.

As per sources, the first batch of 10,000 doses of 2-DG medicine would be launched next week. These doses will be given to COVID-19 patients as adjunct therapy. The drug will help the primary treatment. The drug inhibits the growth of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and improves the recovery of COVID-19 patients. The clinical trials also showed substantial results.

Meanwhile, a lot of controversies have been going on regarding the usage of Ivermectin for treating COVID-19. This is due to difference of opinions among scientists. While some studies appeared to benefit COVID-19 patients, some other studies did not find any benefit.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends Ivermectin to be used within clinical trials only.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also did not approve the drug to treat COVID-19 in humans. Nor did it recommend the drug for prevention. This is due to the serious consequences it can create in patients if taken in large doses. Also, it is not an anti-viral drug. The drug is approved at very specific doses for some parasitic worms.

Meanwhile, a recent study conducted by Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC), claimed that the drug could control the COVID-19 pandemic if used globally. They said the drug can be used as a preventive measure.

Yet, many health authorities like WHO have not convinced of this.

In India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare guidelines approved the drug for patients with mild or asymptomatic infections for three to five days.

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