Odisha: Expert panel to decide on Tocilizumab use

BHUBANESWAR: The government on Friday formed an expert committee of three senior doctors of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, to take a decision on use of Tocilizumab for Covid patients on a case-to-case basis.
Originally, a rheumatoid arthritis drug, Tocilizumab is used in moderate to severe Covid cases so that the patient’s condition doesn’t worsen further. Bidyut Das, professor of rheumatology, will head the panel. The other two members are professor of pulmonary medicine Jyoti Pattanaik and associate professor of medicine PK Thatoi.
“When any prescription is made for a patient in a Covid facility with newer, restricted available drug, the prescription shall come as a proposal to seek opinion regarding the judicious use of the drug. Such proposal shall be sent to the chairman of the committee with an intimation to director medical education and training and MD of Odisha State Medical Corporation in WhatsApp,” an order issued by additional chief secretary (health) Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra said.
Mohapatra said the government is keen to provide all possible treatment to patients, who may need it to reduce mortality and morbidity. Jayant Panda, head of the PG department of internal medicine, SCB, said the drug is used in some moderate patients to prevent cytokine storm in Covid patients.
Each vial of the injection costs Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000. Because of its huge demand and short supply, the drug is being sold at much higher prices in many states, sources said.