DCGI approves COVID-19 drug to reduce mortality rate

On April 20, 2020, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approved trial of a drug to reduce mortality rate of COVID-19 patients.

Highlights

The COVID-19 drug that was developed by the Cadila Pharmaceuticals along with Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is to enter into trial. The clinical trial has been approved by DCGI. The drug had been used to treat critically ill patients suffering from Gram Negative Bacterial Sepsis.

Gram Negative Bacteria

Gram Negative Bacteria with Sepsis is a systematic disease that are caused by micro-organisms. It is common in children with weak immune system. Gram Negative Bacteria are those bacteria that have strong membranes around their cells than the gram positive bacteria. This makes them much more difficult to treat.

Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition. Normally, human body released chemicals into the blood stream to fight an infection. When the chemicals in the bloodstream go out of balance, sepsis occurs;

Why used for COVID-19?

The patients suffering from COVID-19 and Gram Negative Bacterial Sepsis have similarities and hence the drug is being used to treat patients suffering from COVID-19. The drug used to treat Gram Negative Bacterial Sepsis has been proved to be safe and has not reported any systemic side effects so far.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2020