: Should We Celebrate? Experts on the Efficacy of India’s Approved COVID-19 Drugs #IndiaNEWS #Coronavirus As doctors around the world continue to work towards finding a definite cure for COVID-19,

Should We Celebrate? Experts on the Efficacy of India’s Approved COVID-19 Drugs #IndiaNEWS #Coronavirus
As doctors around the world continue to work towards finding a definite cure for COVID-19, two drugs, Favipiravir and Remdesivir, are showing promising results for the treatment of the disease.
While Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has launched generic version of Favipiravir under the brand name FabiFlu, Cipla and Hetero Labs have introduced generic versions of Remdesivir, a drug meant specifically for a COVID-19 patient on oxygen support, under the brand names Cipremi and Covifor respectively.
The drugs, which have been approved by the Drug Controller General of India, come after months of research and testing to find a cure for the novel coronavirus.
The price of prescription-based FabiFlu will be approximately Rs 103 per tablet (200 mg) and a strip of 34 tablets will cost Rs 3,500. Covifor is likely to come in 100 mg vials (injectable) which have to be compulsorily taken in a hospital under doctor’s supervision.
Speaking to PTI, Vamsi Krishna Bandi, the MD of Hetero Group of Companies said that the price range of the drug will be between Rs 5,000-6,000 per dose.
Medical Experts Weigh In
Although the drugs have been approved by the concerned government body, many experts have raised concerns on its efficacy, and have urged caution vis-a-vis their ‘game-changer’ label.
It is not as if all those taking these drugs will recover. It has been found that they help reduce viral load but are not game-changers. But yes, it is a positive development as it is better to have something in hand than nothing. There is also a psychological impact that something is being given which could have some benefit,??? Dr Vikas Maurya, Director, Department of Pulmonology and Sleep Disorders, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh told PTI.
The Better India spoke to Dr Rommel Tickoo, Associate Director-Internal Medicine, Max Healthcare to get a better insight about Favipiravir and Remdesivir.
On Favipiravir, he said that the repurposed drug has been used to treat diseases like Ebola and Influenza in the past, and is currently being evaluated in several clinical trials globally for the treatment of the Coronavirus.
The Indian government has approved its emergency restricted use in mild to moderate COVID-19 cases. A patient must sign a consent form before using it.
“As far as the Coronavirus goes, whatever evidence there is, is based on unpublished studies from countries like Russia, UAE and China. So, the drug seems to be promising based on anecdotal experience. Most patients cleared the virus on the fourth day and 91 per cent had improved respiratory status. Only after the data from trials have been published in a peer-review journal, can we swear by its safety and efficacy,??? he says.

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