DRDO anti-COVID drug '2DG' to be available at discounted rates; See price & availability

 Defense Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) announced that it h released its 2DG anti-COVID 19 drug on May 17. In anor development, it was announced that drug has been priced at Rs 990 per sachet by Dr Reddy’s lab. However, government officials have informed that  DRDO anti-COVID drug will be provided at a discounted price for government hospitals. In dition, drug price is also discounted for central and state governments. 

first batch of 2DG launched 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan h released first batch of anti-COVID-19 drug D2G that is manufactured by DRDO on May 17. Dr Harsh Vardhan h asserted that drug would boost recovery in Coronavirus patients and le to a reduced dependency on oxygen. Health Minister also hailed efforts of scientists at DRDO.  indigenously developed drug was handed over by Rajnath Singh to Dr Harsh Vardhan who n handed it over to AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria. It was granted emergency approval on May 1. 

"Whenever our country was in need. DRDO came forward to work for nation. Our experts are saying that re can be anor possible wave. We will not be at ease and will not be tired but will keep fighting and will win against COVID-19," said Dr Harsh Vardhan 

About DRDO anti-COVID drug 2DG

drug has been developed by DRDO scientists at Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS). In dition, drug has also been developed in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) in Hyderab. After lab experiments, were conducted in April 2020,  2-DG was found to be safe and effective against Coronavirus. Phase-II trials h also indicated that drug was effective against virus with signs of recovery among COVID-19 patients. drug was tested again in Phase-IIa and Phase-IIb trials at six and 11 hospitals respectively on 110 patients. In dition, DRDO h also received approval by  DGCI to conduct Phase-III trials which were held between December 2020-March 2021 at 27 hospitals across India on 220 patients. Results concluded that patients recover faster along with a significant decline in use of oxygen.