‘Virafin’ Can Be Used to Treat Moderate Covid-19 Cases in Emergency, Zydus gets DGCI Nod
| Dr. Jyotsna Pandit, Thought Leader, Writer, Noida, UP - 23 Apr 2021

Time is not only to deal with challenges, but also to provide quick solutions: PM Modi

PM Modi held a meeting with leading oxygen manufacturers across the country via video conferencing. PM Modi said this time is not only to deal with the challenges, but also to provide solutions in a very short time.

By Dr. Jyotsna Pandit  

New Delhi, April 23, 2021: Within hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this time is not only to deal with the challenges, but also to provide solutions in a very short time, Zydus Cadila received restricted emergency approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use of its drug ‘Virafin’ for treating moderate cases of COVID-19 in patients above 18 years of age on Friday.

As the entire world brawls with covid-19, Zydus Cadila on Friday announced that it has received restricted emergency approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use of its drug ‘Virafin’ for treating moderate cases of COVID-19 in patients above 18 years of age.

According to media reports, Zydus Cadila’s ‘Virafin’ drug was originally approved for the treatment of liver disease Hepatitis-C and was launched in India about 10 years ago. It is now however being repurposed to treat COVID-19 patients. It’s being said that ‘Virafin’ can help in better disease management. It comes at a much-needed time for the patients suffering from Covid-19. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with leading oxygen manufacturers across the country via video conferencing. PM Modi said this time is not only to deal with the challenges, but also to provide solutions in a very short time. PM Modi stressed on the need to maintain good co-ordination between the government and the oxygen producers.

PM appreciated the oxygen producers for increasing their production in the last few weeks. He acknowledged the several steps taken to increase the production of liquid oxygen. PM Modi also thanked the industry for diverting industrial oxygen to meet medical requirements in the country.

To improve the situation further, PM Modi spoke about utilising the full potential of the industry to meet the demand of oxygen in the coming days. PM Modi noted that there is a need to increase the availability of oxygen cylinders as well as upgrade the logistics facilities for transportation of oxygen. He urged the industry to utilize tankers meant to transport other gases for oxygen supply.

The Prime Minister said keeping in mind the requirements of states pertaining to oxygen, government is working on effective use of Railways and Air Force so that the tankers reach the production centre as soon as possible.

PM Modi remarked that the government, the states, the industry and the transporters, and all the hospitals need to come together and work in unison. The better the synergy and coordination, the easier it will be able to deal with this challenge.

Appreciating the oxygen producers, PM Modi extended government’s full support to them and hoped the country would be successful in combating the crisis soon.

Shri Mukesh Ambani, CMD of RIL, Smt. Soma Mandal, Chairperson of SAIL, Shri Sajjan Jindal of JSW, Shri Narendran of Tata Steel, Shri Naveen Jindal of JSPL, Shri Dilip Oommen of AMNS, Shri M Bannerjee of LINDE, Shri Sidharth Jain of Inox, Shri Noriyo Shibuya, MD of Air Water Jamshedpur, Shri Rajesh Kumar Saraf of National Oxygen Ltd and Shri Saket Tiku, President of All India Industrial GasesManufacturer's Association were present during the meeting.

India’s total infection tally has surpassed 15.5 million as per the sources and the active caseload stands at 2,031,977. Earlier, while condoling the death of all Covid patients, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, “The challenge is huge, we have to overcome it collectively with determination, courage and preparation.”

According to the sources, a single dose subcutaneous regimen of the antiviral drug will make treatment of COVID-19 disease more convenient. In its regulatory filing, the company said, "When administered early on during COVID, Virafin will help patients recover faster and avoid much of the complications. Virafin will be available on the prescription of medical specialist for use in hospital/institutional setup."

"In the multicentric trial conducted in 20-25 centres across India, Virafin had shown lesser need for supplemental oxygen, clearly indicating that it was able to control respiratory distress and failure which has been one of the crucial challenges in treating COVID-19. The drug has also shown efficacy against other viral infections," the company also said. The drug ensures faster viral clearance and has several add-on advantages compared to other anti-viral agents

While the government has decided to widen its immunisation programme and vaccinate all citizens above 18 years of age from 1-May onwards, it shared the suggestions of Dr CS Pramesh, director Tata Memorial Hospital, on what medicines to take if someone has tested Covid-19 positive.

According to Dr CS Pramesh, Remdesivir doesn't work in all patients, probably a small subgroup of those requiring oxygen, but not sick enough that they require ventilation. And even here, it doesn't reduce mortality, probably helps early recovery. Remdesivir is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized adult and paediatric patients aged above 12 years and weighing more than 40 kg.

Hospitals are facing acute oxygen cylinder shortage which is creating panic among the common people. At this stage ‘Virafin’ seems to be a boon.

“The fact that we are able to offer a therapy which significantly reduces viral load when given early on can help in better disease management," Cadila Managing Director Sharvil Patel was quoted saying this in the media. “It comes at a much-needed time for patients."

Zydus Headquarter - Image courtesy India TV


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