Govt release first batch of DRDO's anti-COVID-19 drug 2-DG, calls it as a ray of hope

New Delhi, May 17: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan released the first batch of anti-COVID oral drug 2-DG, saying, "The drug has brought a new ray of hope for the treatment of COVID-19 patients." They also distributed around 10,000 doses of the drug in the national capital.

 

 

Talking about the medicine during the press briefing Vardhan said that the drug will be the “first indigenous research-based outcome” to fight the virus, and will “reduce recovery time and oxygen dependency” in the country.

 

Rajnath Singh Singh praised DRDO scientists saying, "This is a great example of the scientific prowess of our country and, it is a milestone in the efforts towards self-reliance."

 

He further said that it is not the time to relax and get tired as there is nothing definitive about the course of the pandemic." We do not need to be relaxed, nor should we get tired. Because this wave has come for the second time, and there is nothing definite about this. We have to take steps with full caution," he said.

 

 

 

The anti-COVID oral drug is developed by the DRDO in collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) in Hyderabad. Last week DRDO Drugs Controller General of India gave an emergency use approval to the 2-deoxy D-glucose (2-DG) drug as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe coronavirus patients earlier this month.

 

 

According to the DRDO, the oral drug helps in a faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence. The medicine has been found effective in moderate and serves Covid cases. It even works well for people above the age of 65 years. The drug comes in powder form in a sachet and is taken orally by dissolving it in water.