On Monday, the initial batch of the adjunct COVID therapy anti-COVID drug, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), was officially released by the defence minister Rajnath Singh. As has been reported earlier this anti-COVID-19 therapeutic application of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) has been jointly created by Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL), Hyderabad.
Responding to concerns by TheSpuzz Online, the official spokesperson of Dr Reddy’s in an e mail has confirmed, “2-DG is an oral drug to be administered upon prescription to hospitalised moderate to severe COVID-19 patients along with existing standard of care.”
By when will it be offered in the Indian pharmacies?
“We expect commercial launch of the drug in June, and expect to supply it to hospitals,” the spokesperson of Dr Reddy’s stated.
What will be the cost?
“We will share an update on the price soon. The price is being determined with a view to making it accessible and affordable to as many patients as possible.”
What did the defence minister say at the launch?
This drug is anticipated to assistance the COVID patients recover more quickly and much less dependent on oxygen.
In his address the minister described the 2-DG drug as a new ray of hope in the present difficult occasions. The minister expressed self-confidence that the medicine will play a vital part in winning the fight against COVID-19. According to him the development and production of the drug is the most effective instance of public-private sector partnership, to assistance the nation in these difficult occasions.
He also announced that he would personally honour the scientists who played a vital part in the development of the drug as they deserve credit for this achievement.
Oxygen Supply predicament in the nation
The oxygen provide in the nation has been substantially enhanced to more than 9,500 Metric Tonnes (MT) per day from about 4,700 MT, which was at the start off of May.
The minister in an official statement issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on May 17, 2021 has stated that the predicament is getting monitored on a standard basis. Adding, “Effective measures have been taken to meet the requirement of oxygen supply, medicines & ICU beds in hospitals across the country. This is being done through collective efforts of the various ministries and departments.”
The minister also in his address highlighted the main part played by the armed forces in dealing with the surge in the COVID circumstances, specifically IAF and the Navy working round the clock in transporting concentrators, oxygen tankers, containers and other vital health-related gear from inside the nation and overseas.
He referred to the preparedness of the Armed Forces, saying that even though they are offering assistance to the civil administration in fighting the second COVID-19 wave, they have not let their guard down.
In the MoD statement, Chairman, DRL Kallam Satish Reddy, on the partnership with INMAS/DRDO in the development of 2-DG, termed it as a re-affirmation of his company’s efforts to address COVID by way of a host of therapeutics and vaccines.
Who was present throughout the official launch?
Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy Secretary (Health & Family Welfare) Dr Rajesh Bhushan and DG Health Services Dr Sunil Kumar attended the occasion. Besides Chairman, DRL, Director, Dr Rakesh Mishra of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed more than to Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Science & Tech and Earth Sciences Dr Harsh Vardhan in New Delhi one box of the drug. It was also handed more than to Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Dr Randeep Guleria and Lt Gen Sunil Kant of Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).
And more of this drug will be shared across various hospitals across the nation for emergency use.