The Drugs Controller General of India has accredited an anti-COVID oral drug, developed by DRDO, for emergency use as adjunct remedy in average to extreme coronavirus sufferers, the defence ministry mentioned on Saturday.
It mentioned medical trials of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) confirmed that it helps in quicker restoration of hospitalised sufferers and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence.
The drug has been developed by Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a number one laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories in Hyderabad.
The 2-DG is available in powder type in sachet and is taken orally by dissolving it in water.
“On May 01, DCGI granted permission for emergency use of this drug as adjunct therapy in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. Being a generic molecule and analogue of glucose, it can be easily produced and made available in plenty in the country,” the ministry mentioned in an announcement.
“It accumulates in the virus infected cells and prevents virus growth by stopping viral synthesis and energy production. Its selective accumulation in virally-infected cells makes this drug unique,” the ministry mentioned.
