The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given permission for the emergency use of drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe Covid-19 cases, the Defence Research and Development Organisation said on Saturday.
The drug has been developed by DRDO lab Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories. "Clinical trial have shown that this molecule helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence," DRDO said on Saturday.
"Being a generic molecule and analogue of glucose, it can be easily produced and made available in plenty," it added.
An adjunct therapy refers to an alternative treatment that is used together with the primary treatment. Its purpose is to assist the primary treatment.