DRDO’s 2DG anti-Covid-19 drug has been priced at Rs 990 per sachet by Dr. Reddy’s lab. But government hospitals, central and state governments will get it at a discounted price. The 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). They have done this in collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL), Hyderabad.
The anti-COVID drug developed by DRDO for emergency use has been approved by The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). The DCGI has approved it as an adjunct therapy to treat severe Covid patients.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the 2DG anti-Covid-19 drug during clinical trials showed that it facilitates faster recovery of hospitalized Covid patients. It also reduces dependence on supplemental oxygen. A higher proportion of patients treated with 2-DG showed RT-PCR negative conversion in COVID patients.
The drug comes in powder form in a sachet. It is to be taken orally by dissolving it in water. It accumulates in the virus-infected cells and prevents virus growth by stopping viral synthesis and energy production. The drug is a boon for the COVID patients who have been facing severe oxygen dependency and need hospitalization. It also shortens the hospital stay of coronavirus patients.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had informed 10,000 sachets of the 2DG drug would be available in the market from Thursday (May 27, 2021). But it will be available only in AIIMS, Armed Forces Hospitals, DRDO hospitals. It will be available in other hospitals from June.
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