ICMR gets emergency approval from CDSCO for ‘Lopinavir & Ritonavir’ combo to treat novel coronavirus
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has received the Central Drug Control Organisation (CDCSO) emergency approval to use a combination of anti-HIV drugs- 'Lopinavir and Ritonavir' tablets for the treatment of novel coronavirus (nCoV) patients in India.
ICMR says, ''it is an “experimental repurposed drug” and should be used only in cases where there is documented evidence of the person suffering from infection''.
“There are no large studies done so far on the treatment of coronavirus. However, as an alternative, ICMR may recommend these drugs for treatment of coronavirus,” said a senior health ministry official.
"We did our own docking studies and found that this could be a potentially useful drug against nCoV," an ICMR official said.
"The DCGI has given a no objection for the restricted use of this drug combination -- Lopinavir and Ritonavir — in case of a public health emergency on patients affected by nCoV as per the treatment protocol designed by the ICMR," a government source said.
As of now total 901 samples have been tested as on dated February 5, 2020. The 498 samples are referred from suspected cases throughout the country. Till date, 3 out of the 498 tested are confirmed laboratory positive for nCoV. No new case has been detected.
In addition to National Institute of Virology, Pune, Virus and Research Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) and National Centre for Disease Control, New Delhi are performing testing for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.
National Institute of Virology, Pune is the apex laboratory for reconfirmation of any positive samples as well as the quality assurance for the testing of samples for 2019 nCoV.
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