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Coronavirus Outbreak: This drug may help COVID-19 patients to recover

In China, a drug - antiviral molecule Favipiravir - has shown to help improve the conditions of COVID-19 patients in a trial. In an effort to create the drug, two Mumbai-based drug makers have stepped up.

Coronavirus Outbreak: This drug may help COVID-19 patients to recover
SHARES


Amid the urgent need to find a cure of the COVID-19, two Indian drug makers are indulging to develop a specific drug which has shown to help in the recovery of patients infected with the coronavirus. 

In China, a drug - antiviral molecule Favipiravir - has shown to help improve the conditions of COVID-19 patients in a trial. In an effort to create the drug, two Mumbai-based drug makers have stepped up. 

The BDR Pharma company which makes anti-HIV and Hepatitis C medication, and LASA Supergenerics, an active pharmaceutical ingredient maker, are betting that the drug works. 

“We took a shot on the Favipiravir drug as there is no patent that binds us in discovering its efficacy. Also, the initial data seems promising,” BDR Pharma chairman, Dharmesh Shah was quoted by the Economic Times as saying. 

While starting its lab work, the BDR Pharma has made efforts to get initiation samples out. The company still has many hurdles to cross before the product is available in the market for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Of all problems, the biggest is to get the actual reference product shipped from China. 

Meanwhile, LASA Supergenerics is also stranded in the process to form the drug. The company’s CEO has written to several government authorities and has also tweeted his complaints regarding not getting clearances for his consignment which has been stuck for 10 days in transit. 

“Most South Asian companies are administering this drug for their COVID-19 patients. This drug doesn’t even have many side-effects, unlike other antivirals,” LASA Supergenerics CEO Omkar Herlekar was quoted by ET as saying. 

LASA Supergenerics, which is working with the Institute of Chemical Technology, has asked the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to consider the efficacy of the drug and recommend fast-track approval for importing the raw material and manufacturing the drug.

As of April 2, in Maharashtra, the number of positive COVID-19 cases have increased to 338 while the death toll is 16. Of the 338 cases in the state, 181 COVID-19 patients are from Mumbai. 

Also Read - No Religious Gathering Allowed At Any Cost: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray

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