DRDO issues directions for the usage of anti-Covid drug 2-DG on patients

The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on Tuesday issued guidelines on how and when to use its anti-Covid drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) drug.

The drug was launched by the Defense Ministry last month. It has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a premier laboratory of DRDO, in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) in Hyderabad.

DRDO said that the 2-DG drug should be used under the supervision of a doctor. Oral medication for emergency use is an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of severe COVID patients. It reduces dependence on supplemental oxygen.

2-DG. Directions for use:

1. 2DG should be prescribed by doctors early. The drug can be prescribed for up to 10 days and the recipients can be both moderate to severe COVID patients.
2. This drug is approved for ’emergency use’, and can be used as adjunctive therapy along with the standard procedure followed in the treatment of a COVID patient.
3. 2DG has not yet been tested in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, severe cardiac problems, ARDS, severe hepatic and renal impairment. So extra caution is needed.
4. Lactating and pregnant women should not be prescribed with 2DG, and the same applies to people under 18 years of age.
5. Patients/attendants wishing to purchase 2DG medicine should email their requirements to 2DG@drreddys.com. This email id belongs to Dr. Reddy’s Lab, Hyderabad.

The drug was approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on May 1 for emergency use as adjunctive therapy in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan released the first batch of indigenously developed anti-COVID-19 drugs on 17 May.

The price of DRDO’s 2DG anti-COVID-19 drug has been fixed by pharma major Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories at Rs 990 per pouch. However, the medicine will be made available by the government hospitals at a subsidized price. According to Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, the drug will be launched commercially in mid-June.

News Source: HindustanTimes