DRDO Launches 1st Batch of Anti-Covid Drug 2DG (2-Deoxy-D-Glucose)

New Delhi:

Anti Covid Medicine 2-DG Launch in India: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched the first batch of the Anti-Covid drug 2-DG developed by the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Monday. 

The Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) approved the oral drug for emergency use as an alternative therapy in moderate to severe coronavirus patients.

Clinical trials of the drug, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), revealed that it helps in the faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces the need for supplemental oxygen, according to a statement released by the defence ministry on May 8. "In the ongoing second Covid-19 wave, a large number of patients are facing severe oxygen dependency and need hospitalisation. The drug is expected to save precious lives due to the mechanism of its operation in the infected cells. This also reduces the hospital stay of Covid-19 patients," stated the ministry. 

"With the support of DRDO and in the leadership of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, this (Anti-COVID drug 2DG) may be our first indigenous research-based outcome to fight against Covid-19. It will reduce recovery time and oxygen dependency," said Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan. 

The Health Minister said that the DRDO has played an important role in the battle against Covid-19 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "Not just for India but I hope it serves in the fight against Covid, globally in the coming days. I thank and congratulate DRDO and its scientists." he added. 

The problem of oxygen production has been resolved with collective effort, according to Rajnath Singh, under the leadership of the Prime Minister. "We will not be at ease and will not be tired but will keep fighting and will win against Covid-19. Now medicine issue is also not there much," Singh added. 

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (DRL) and the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) in Hyderabad partnered to develop the drug's anti-Covid therapeutic use. The drug comes in powder form in a sachet and is taken orally by dissolving it in water, according to the Defence ministry. 

The ministry further stated that patients treated with 2-DG demonstrated a quicker symptomatic cure than patients treated with the standard of treatment (SoC). 

The approval of the anti-viral drug comes in a critical time as the cases of the novel coronavirus keep skyrocketing and spiraling beyond control with every passing bringing the already overburdened healthcare infrastructure in India to the brink of collapse.

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