The first consignment of anti-COVID oral drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), developed by the DRDO, was released on Monday by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) approved the 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) drug for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe coronavirus patients earlier this month.
In his brief remarks, Singh said the drug has brought a new ray of hope for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
“This is a great example of the scientific prowess of our country,” he said.
The anti-COVID-19 therapeutic application of 2-DG drug has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a leading laboratory of DRDO, in collaboration with Dr Reddy”s Laboratories (DRL) in Hyderabad.
The drug comes in powder form in sachet and is taken orally by dissolving it in water, the ministry said.
“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 at the event in DRDO headquarters.
