2-DG: How and when to use DRDO's anti-Covid drug? Guidelines
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Tuesday released guidelines on how and when to use its anti-Covid medicine 2-Deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) medicine. The drug was launched last month by the Ministry of Defence. It has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a leading laboratory of the DRDO, in collaboration with Dr Reddy's Laboratories (DRL) in Hyderabad.
The DRDO said that 2-DG medicine should be used under the supervision of a doctor. The oral drug for emergency use is an adjunct therapy to treat severe Covid patients. It reduces dependence on supplemental oxygen.
Guidelines To Use 2-DG
The drug was cleared by Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on May 1 for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe Covid-19 patients. The first batch of the indigenously developed anti-Covid-19 drug was released by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on May 17.
The price of DRDO’s 2DG anti-COVID 19 drug has been fixed at Rs 990 per sachet by pharma major Dr Reddy’s Laboratories. However, the drug will be provided by government hospitals at a discounted price. According to Dr Reddy's Laboratories, the drug will be commercially launched in mid-June.
