Everything you need to know about anti-Covid oral drug 2DG
2DG is an oral ani-viral drug that can be administered only upon prescription to hospitalised moderate to severe Covid-19 patients as add on therapy along with the existing standard of care
The first batch of anti-Covid oral drug 2DG, developed by the DRDO, was rolled out on Monday as a severe wave of the coronavirus pandemic continued to ravage large parts of India.
Releasing the drug along with Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) has brought a “new ray of hope” in the treatment of Covid-19 patients and exuded confidence that it would be effective.
2-DG has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Hyderabad-based pharma company Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.
Things to know about the new drug
2DG is an oral ani-viral drug that can be administered only upon prescription to hospitalised moderate to severe Covid-19 patients as add on therapy along with the existing standard of care, according to Dr Reddy’s.
The drug comes in powder form in a sachet and is taken orally by dissolving it in water. However, the drug has not been launched and the price per sachet has also not been announced.
“Commercial launch and supply of 2DG to government and private hospitals is expected to commence in mid-June, “the Hyderabad-based firm said.
“The price of the drug is being determined with a view to making it accessible and affordable to as many patients as possible, and will be announced soon,” it added.