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Fabiflu, Covifor, Cipremi and other drugs approved or under trial for COVID-19 patients in India

India's drug regulator has approved <keyword id="1160316" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Itolizumab">Itolizumab</keyword>, used to cure skin ailment psoriasis, for restricted emergency use on COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress, officials said. Considering the unmet medical needs to treat COVID-19, <keyword id="682334" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Drugs-Controller-General-of-India">Drugs Controller General of India</keyword> Dr V G Somani approved monoclonal antibody injection Itolizumab for restricted emergency use for the treatment of 'cytokine' release syndrome in moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome patients due to COVID-19, they said on Friday. "The approval was given after its clinical trials on COVID-19 patients in India was found satisfactory by the expert committee comprising pulmonologists, pharmacologists and medicine experts from AIIMS, among others, for treatment of cytokine release syndrome," an official told . "It is already an approved drug of <keyword id="6358361" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="biocon">Biocon</keyword> for treating psoriasis for last many years," the official said. Written informed consent of each patient is required before the use of this drug, he said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/fabiflu-covifor-cipremi-medicines-approved-to-treat-covid-19-patients-in-india/slidelist/76507980.cms">Fabiflu, Covifor, Cipremi and other drugs approved or under trial for COVID-19 patients in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/ciplas-cipremi-covid-19-drug-remdesivir-will-hit-market-this-week/articleshow/76852463.cms">Cipla says COVID-19 drug Remdesivir will hit market this week</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/glenmark-launches-covid-19-drug-after-dcgi-nod/articleshow/76479144.cms">Glenmark launches first oral coronavirus drug in India called FabiFlu</a>

Itolizumab approved for emergency use on COVID-19 patients

Brussels, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have adopted a new regulation that will allow vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 to be developed more quickly. The regulation that allows temporary derogation from certain rules for clinical trials was approved on Friday by 505 votes in favour, 67 against and 109 abstentions, following an urgent debate last week, Xinhua news agency reported. Last month, the <keyword id="59149" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="European-Commission">European Commission</keyword> proposed a vaccine strategy that requests a temporary and strictly COVID-19-related derogation from certain rules for clinical trials of vaccines or treatments that contain or consist of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). As national requirements to assess the environmental risks of clinical trials on medicinal products that contain or consist of GMOs vary considerably across member states, a derogation from these rules is needed to avoid significant delay in developing life-saving vaccines and treatments. As of Friday, there have been 2,737,749 confirmed COVID-19 cases across the whole of Europe, according to the Statista online data collection portal. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/fabiflu-covifor-cipremi-medicines-approved-to-treat-covid-19-patients-in-india/slidelist/76507980.cms">Fabiflu, Covifor, Cipremi and other drugs approved or under trial for COVID-19 patients in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/ciplas-cipremi-covid-19-drug-remdesivir-will-hit-market-this-week/articleshow/76852463.cms">Cipla says COVID-19 drug Remdesivir will hit market this week</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/glenmark-launches-covid-19-drug-after-dcgi-nod/articleshow/76479144.cms">Glenmark launches first oral coronavirus drug in India called FabiFlu</a>

New regulation for faster vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 adopted by EU

<ul><li>A single vial of Remdesivir is being sold for ₹30,000 on the black market in India. This is ten times the retail price.</li><li>Even if you’re willing to cough up the exorbitant amount, there’s still a chance that someone with deeper pockets could outbid you.</li><li>The circulation of Remdesivir in the black market extends right from the distributor to doctors in smaller private hospitals.</li></ul>The black market for drugs that could treat COVID-19 is surging in India, especially when it comes to Remdesivir. A single vial is going for up to ₹30,000. So, if a critical patient needs six vials for treatment, which is the norm, they would have to shell out ₹1,80,000 in order to procure the required dosage. That’s more than ten times the price on the regulated market. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Name of the company </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Brand name for Remdesivir </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Maximum retail price (MRP) </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cadila Healthcare </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">REMDAC </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹899 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Syngene International </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">RemWin </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹2,450 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Dr Reddy’s Laboratories </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">REDYX </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹2,700 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cipla </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">CIPREMI </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹3,000 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Mylan Pharmaceuticals </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">DESREM </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹3,400 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Jubilant Generics </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">JUBI-R </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹3,400 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Hetero Healthcare </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">COVIFOR </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹3,490 </td></tr></tbody></table> Remdesivir is not proven to help in recovery from the Coronavirus, but it is one of the few treatment methods that has been approved by the Indian government. "There are very few drugs which have been authorised by the government. Remdesivir is one of them, even though there is no certainty that this will work or not," a doctor at a government hospital in India told Business Insider. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="You maybe ready to pay a higher price — but you could still be outbid" comment="subhead" text="You maybe ready to pay a higher price — but you could still be outbid">You maybe ready to pay a higher price — but you could still be outbid</cmsannotation> Hansa’s (named changed to protect identity) uncle is in Delhi, in a critical condition, and the doctors have prescribed Remdesivir in hopes of treatment. The only problem is that no licensed pharmacy in Delhi seems to have it in stock. “We were supposed to get six vials in the morning for ₹35,000 through a doctor contact. Turns out somebody was ready to pay ₹50,000 for them and the vials went to them,” she told Business Insider India. “Another doctor told us that procured six vials for ₹80,000 for another patient.” And these prices are just the lower end of the stick. Aakash (named changed) told Business Insider he can procure a single vial for ₹30,000. In the bargaining process, he did highlight that vials are also available for ₹15,000 to ₹26,000 apiece, but not in Delhi. Anyone who wanted Remdesivir at those prices would have to procure it from outside the city. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="How to buy Remdesivir on the black market?" comment="subhead" text="How to buy Remdesivir on the black market?">How to buy Remdesivir on the black market?</cmsannotation> Just like with other deals on the black market, what matters is who you know. The right connections and the right amount of trust can open a lot of doors. For the common man, the best bet is just to keep in touch with their doctors. Doctors know everyone down the supply chain and can help a patient, who is truly in need, get in touch with a supplier who may possibly have Remdesivir. Someone who doesn’t have a well-connected doctor is likely to reach out within his friend’s group. And, eventually, someone will know someone, who may be able to get them in touch with a supplier. But trust has a greater role to play here. “The first question he asked me was, who needs it? I told him it was for someone special, who can be trusted. He only agreed to let me have the vials if I could vouch for my friend,” Aakash told Business Insider. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The private hospital game" comment="subhead" text="The private hospital game">The private hospital game</cmsannotation> Sources who have bought Remdesivir by getting in touch with their doctors insist that doctors are not taking a commission. But distributors on the other end of the supply chain have a different story to tell. According to workers at distribution companies, doctors at government hospitals are prepared to treat patients even with alternative medicines available in the market — like steroids, which have proven to be effective in patients with moderate and severe symptoms. But, when it comes to private hospitals, especially smaller ones in semi-urban cities, healthcare workers are paid such meagre salaries. According to sources, selling medicines on the side or making medicines disappear overnight so that the patient is forced to buy more, is the norm. “When you know there are alternatives available in the market, then why aren’t doctors recommending that patients go for them. Why are they insisting on Remdesivir?” an employee at the distribution company told Business Insider. “In most cases, especially in smaller cities, the doctors are involved.” According to him, all the doctor has to say is that Remdesivir is a superior option to other medication, and the patient or his loved one is obviously going to try and get the ‘best’ option in a situation of crisis. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The black market supply chain" comment="subhead" text="The black market supply chain">The black market supply chain</cmsannotation> All doses of Remdesivir, no matter what brand, are going to come from the big seven pharmaceutical giants in India currently manufacturing the vials. These pharmaceutical companies send the medicine to the distributors, who are in turn supposed to dole out the doses to licensed pharmacies. But that’s where things get a little murky. Distributors do give a certain portion of the shipment to pharmacies because they need those records on their books, but the rest of the stock is given to people who are in his known circle. So, when someone comes looking for Remdesivir, the distributor directs them to one of the people within his circle who may have hoarded some of the doses. And, going to a third party, who is not a license holder, makes it a black market deal. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/policy/article/if-the-covid-19-vaccine-prices-are-too-high-for-some-then-why-not-use-direct-benefit-transfer/articleshow/82200370.cms">If the COVID-19 vaccine prices are too high for some, then why not use direct benefit transfer</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/while-covid-19-is-making-millions-gasp-for-breath-in-india-state-administrations-are-trying-to-hoard-oxygen/articleshow/82199390.cms">The COVID-19 crisis in India is getting worse with state administrations trying to hoard oxygen</a>

Inside the treacherous black market for Remdesivir in India— from private hospitals to distributors

By Asim Kamal (Eds: Correcting spelling in headline) New Delhi, Jun 22 () With pharmaceutical companies launching generic versions of Remdesivir and Favipiravir for COVID-19 treatment, medical experts on Monday said it was a "positive development" in the fight against the pandemic, but cautioned against regarding the antiviral drugs as "game changers". Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has launched the antiviral drug Favipiravir, under the brand name FabiFlu, for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 cases, while Cipla and Hetero have received approvals from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to launch Remdesivir under the brand names Cipremi and Covifor respectively. Cipla Ltd on Sunday announced the launch of Cipremi. Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS Delhi, said till date no effective treatment or vaccine to combat coronavirus has been found. "Till date we don't have evidence that a particular drug is effective, so we cannot call any drug game changer till then. With their launch, it will only be clear in the future how effective they will be. Whether they can play a supportive role in COVID-19 treatment is also not yet known," he told . Dr Vikas Maurya, Director, Department of Pulmonology and Sleep Disorders, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, said drugs like Remdesivir and Favipiravir were "no game changers" as they were used for other diseases and have now been found useful in some way in treating COVID-19 patients. "It is not as if all those taking these drugs will recover," he told . It has been found that they help reduce viral load but are not game changers, Maurya said. "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," he said. Dr Rommel Tickoo, Associate Director, Internal Medicine, Max Healthcare, also echoed Maurya's views. Whatever studies that have been done on these drugs are very limited so they cannot be called "game changers", but their launch is a positive development as it is better to have something than nothing, he said. "On both the drugs we have limited data, whatever evidence we have is mostly anecdotal. There is no specific treatment that we have and we cannot wait for all the trials to be over as many lives will be lost. So that is why emergency restricted use is being approved," he told . "It is difficult for us to categorically state the efficacy of the drugs, they do have the potential, but we need more data," he said. Noted city-based lung surgeon Dr Arvind Kumar said he does not believe that any of these antiviral drugs like Remdesivir or Favipiravir will be game changers. "If at all 'game changer' can be used, it is for dexamethasone which has shown a significant reduction in mortality and is available cheaply," said Kumar, who works at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here. Dr Avi Kumar, Consultant, Pulmonologist, Fortis Escort Heart Institute, said drugs such as Favipiravir and Remdisivir "cannot be called game changers" as they are used as a supportive treatment. "When given early, they can benefit patients but there is no guarantee that the patient will improve or not," he said. "It is definitely a positive development that we will be using antivirals, but it is not a game changer as that term can be used for something which you give and the patient recovers," Kumar told . Drug firm Hetero had on Sunday said it has received approval from regulator DCGI to launch investigational antiviral drug Remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19. The drug will be available in 100 mg vials (injectable) which has to be administered intravenously in a hospital setting under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner, it said. Asked about the price of the drug, Hetero Group of Companies MD Vamsi Krishna Bandi told it will be in the range of Rs 5,000-6,000 per dose. The drug has been granted approval by DCGI for the treatment of suspected or laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in adults and children, hospitalised with severe symptoms of the disease, the company said. Cipla has also said that it has been granted regulatory approval by the DCGI for restricted emergency use in the country as part of the accelerated approval process considering the urgent and unmet medical need. Commenting on the launch, Cipla Ltd MD and Global CEO Umang Vohra said, "Cipla appreciates the strong partnership with Gilead to bring Remdesivir to patients in India. We have been deeply invested in exploring all possible avenues to save millions of lives impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, and this launch is a significant milestone in that direction". In May, domestic pharma firms Hetero, Cipla and Jubilant Life Sciences had entered into non-exclusive licensing agreements with drug major Gilead Sciences Inc for manufacturing and distribution of Remdesivir. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals last week said it has launched antiviral drug Favipiravir, under the brand name FabiFlu, for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 at a price of about Rs 103 per tablet. FabiFlu is the first oral Favipiravir-approved medication in India for the treatment of COVID-19, it said in a statement. ASK ANB ANB ANB

Remdesivir, Favipiravir antiviral drugs 'no game changers' in COVID fight, say medical experts

By Asim Kamal New Delhi, Jun 22 () With pharmaceutical companies launching generic versions of Remdesivir and Favipiravir for COVID-19 treatment, medical experts on Monday said it was a "positive development" in the fight against the pandemic, but cautioned against regarding the antiviral drugs as "game changers". Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has launched the antiviral drug Favipiravir, under the brand name FabiFlu, for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 cases, while Cipla and Hetero have received approvals from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to launch Remdesivir under the brand names Cipremi and Covifor respectively. Cipla Ltd on Sunday announced the launch of Cipremi. Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS Delhi, said till date no effective treatment or vaccine to combat coronavirus has been found. "Till date we don't have evidence that a particular drug is effective, so we cannot call any drug game changer till then. With their launch, it will only be clear in the future how effective they will be. Whether they can play a supportive role in COVID-19 treatment is also not yet known," he told . Dr Vikas Maurya, Director, Department of Pulmonology and Sleep Disorders, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, said drugs like Remdesivir and Favipiravir were "no game changers" as they were used for other diseases and have now been found useful in some way in treating COVID-19 patients. "It is not as if all those taking these drugs will recover," he told . It has been found that they help reduce viral load but are not game changers, Maurya said. "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," he said. Dr Rommel Tickoo, Associate Director, Internal Medicine, Max Healthcare, also echoed Maurya's views. Whatever studies that have been done on these drugs are very limited so they cannot be called "game changers", but their launch is a positive development as it is better to have something than nothing, he said. "On both the drugs we have limited data, whatever evidence we have is mostly anecdotal. There is no specific treatment that we have and we cannot wait for all the trials to be over as many lives will be lost. So that is why emergency restricted use is being approved," he told . "It is difficult for us to categorically state the efficacy of the drugs, they do have the potential, but we need more data," he said. Noted city-based lung surgeon Dr Arvind Kumar said he does not believe that any of these antiviral drugs like Remdisiver or Favipiravir will be game changers. "If at all 'game changer' can be used, it is for dexamethasone which has shown a significant reduction in mortality and is available cheaply," said Kumar, who works at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here. Dr Avi Kumar, Consultant, Pulmonologist, Fortis Escort Heart Institute, said drugs such as Favipiravir and Remdisiver "cannot be called game changers" as they are used as a supportive treatment. "When given early, they can benefit patients but there is no guarantee that the patient will improve or not," he said. "It is definitely a positive development that we will be using antivirals, but it is not a game changer as that term can be used for something which you give and the patient recovers," Kumar told . Drug firm Hetero had on Sunday said it has received approval from regulator DCGI to launch investigational antiviral drug Remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19. The drug will be available in 100 mg vials (injectable) which has to be administered intravenously in a hospital setting under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner, it said. Asked about the price of the drug, Hetero Group of Companies MD Vamsi Krishna Bandi told it will be in the range of Rs 5,000-6,000 per dose. The drug has been granted approval by DCGI for the treatment of suspected or laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in adults and children, hospitalised with severe symptoms of the disease, the company said. Cipla has also said that it has been granted regulatory approval by the DCGI for restricted emergency use in the country as part of the accelerated approval process considering the urgent and unmet medical need. Commenting on the launch, Cipla Ltd MD and Global CEO Umang Vohra said, "Cipla appreciates the strong partnership with Gilead to bring Remdesivir to patients in India. We have been deeply invested in exploring all possible avenues to save millions of lives impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, and this launch is a significant milestone in that direction". In May, domestic pharma firms Hetero, Cipla and Jubilant Life Sciences had entered into non-exclusive licensing agreements with drug major Gilead Sciences Inc for manufacturing and distribution of Remdesivir. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals last week said it has launched antiviral drug Favipiravir, under the brand name FabiFlu, for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 at a price of about Rs 103 per tablet. FabiFlu is the first oral Favipiravir-approved medication in India for the treatment of COVID-19, it said in a statement. ASK ANB ANB

Remdesiver, Favipiravir antiviral drugs 'no game changers' in COVID fight, say medical experts

(Eds: adds updated figures for Delhi, TN, Maha) New Delhi, Jun 22 () Delhi on Monday emerged as the second worst-hit state by COVID-19 caseload in addition to death count though Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the situation in the national capital was getting stabilised gradually while Goa reported its first fatality from the disease. As the death toll in the country from coronavirus jumped by a record 445 to 13,699, the Centre maintained that the number of infections per lakh population was among the lowest in the world. The new cases surged by over 10,000 for the 11th day in a row and rose by 14,821 to take the total to 425,282, according to health ministry data. An 85-year-old man succumbed to coronavirus in Goa on Monday, making it the first death due to the disease in the state, said Health Minister Vishwajit Rane. Goa has reported 818 infections out of which 683 are active cases. The first three cases were reported in a single day on March 25. In its update, the ministry said the total number of recoveries stood at 2,37,195 to clock a recovery rate of 55.77 per cent. Presently, there are 1,74,387 active cases and all are under medical supervision, it said. "The difference between the recovered patients and the active COVID-19 cases continues to widen. The number of recovered patients has crossed the number of active patients by 62,808," it added. Delhi recorded 2,909 new cases taking the tally to 62,655, authorities said, adding the death toll stood at 2,233 with 58 more fatalities being registered in the last 24 hours. The national capital has now surpassed Tamil Nadu to become the second worst affected state in terms of number of cases too after Maharashtra. Even by death count in the states Delhi is already in the second spot. According to the central data, the tally for Tamil Nadu stood at 62,087, the third-highest in the country while the number of fatalities was 794. Maharashtra is the worst-hit state with a total of 1,35,796 cases and 6,283 deaths. Mumbai has recorded 67,635 cases and Delhi may cross the figure in the next few days. The death toll in the country's commercial capital was 3,735 with 20 more fatalities being reported. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal told an online media briefing that in the last one week, there was a rise of only 1,000 active coronavirus cases, which indicates that the COVID-19 situation is slowly getting stabilised in the city. From June 15 to 21, Delhi reported 18,564 coronavirus cases. However, 16,790 people also recovered in the said period. Kejriwal also said his government will give pulse oximeters to the COVID-19 patients under home isolation and said the number of tests has increased by three times. The oximeters are to be returned after the patient's recovery. Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive method for monitoring a person's oxygen saturation which is an essential element in the management and understanding of patient care. The chief minister said till now, Delhi did not require beds for COVID-19 patients on a large scale as most of them recovered from the disease, adding the number of serious patients is also less. The Union Health Ministry said India's COVID-19 cases per lakh people is one of the lowest in the world despite its high population density, and the recovery rate has now reached almost 56 per cent. For every one lakh population, there are 30.04 coronavirus cases in India, while the global average is over three times at 114.67, the ministry said, referring to the WHO Situation Report 153, dated June 21. "This low figure is thus a testimony to the graded, pre-emptive and pro-active approach the Government of India along with the states and UTs took for prevention, containment and management of COVID-19," the ministry said in a statement. Citing the WHO Situation Report, it said the US has 671.24 cases per lakh population, while Germany, Spain, Brazil and the UK have 583.88, 526.22, 489.42 and 448.86 cases per lakh population, respectively. It said Russia has 400.82 cases per lakh people, while Italy, Canada, Iran and Turkey have 393.52, 268.98, 242.82 and 223.53, respectively. Kerala reported its highest ever single day spike of 138 COVID-19 cases taking the total number to 3,308. This is the fourth straight day of over 100 infections being reported, after 118 on June 19, 127 on June 20 and 133 on Sunday. With increasing number of cases, the government also declared four more regions in the state as hot spots, taking the total number to 112. The country's first COVID-19 case was recorded in Kerala on January 30. Concerned over increase in COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa directed officials to implement lockdown measures strictly in the clusters which have reported more number of infections. Till Sunday evening, the state capital reported 1,272 cases of COVID-19, including 64 deaths and 411 discharges. On Sunday, as many as 196 fresh cases were recorded. In Gujarat, nearly 300 workers of diamond units in Surat city have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 10 days, following which fresh restrictions have been imposed on the industry's operations, an official said. As part of the new curbs, three main diamond trading markets will remain shut twice a week, while canteens of all the diamond polishing units will remain closed on all days to contain the spread of coronavirus, said Surat Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani. Uttar Pradesh, meanwhile, has become the first state to use the Railways' coronavirus isolation wards with coaches deployed at Mau station receiving 59 suspected COVID-19 cases in two days, officials said. They said eight people have already been discharged and 51 are housed in these non-air conditioned coaches, modified to work as COVID care centres.The admitted cases include women and children, the officials said. UP has reported over 18,000 coronavirus cases, while the death toll was 569. As pharmaceutical companies launch generic versions of Remdesivir and Favipiravir for COVID-19 treatment, medical experts said it was a "positive development" in the fight against the pandemic, but cautioned against regarding the antiviral drugs as "game changers". Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has launched the antiviral drug Favipiravir, under the brand name FabiFlu, for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 cases, while Cipla and Hetero have received approvals from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to launch Remdesivir under the brand names Cipremi and Covifor respectively. Cipla Ltd on Sunday announced the launch of Cipremi. Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS Delhi, said till date no effective treatment or vaccine to combat coronavirus has been found. "Till date we don't have evidence that a particular drug is effective, so we cannot call any drug game changer till then. With their launch, it will only be clear in the future how effective they will be. Whether they can play a supportive role in COVID-19 treatment is also not yet known," he told . PLB BUN KND RPS VT KSU PJT PD RRT ASK ASG PM GSN GSN GSN

After death count, Delhi now in 2nd spot in COVID-19 caseload too; Goa reports 1st fatality from the disease

(Eds: combines related stories) New Delhi, Jun 22 () Goa reported its first COVID-19 fatality on Monday as the countrywide death toll from the disease jumped by a record 445 while Delhi surpassed Tamil Nadu to become the second worst-hit state though authorities said the situation in the national capital was getting stabilised gradually. As the coronavirus cases surged by over 10,000 for the 11th day in a row and rose by 14,821 to take the total to 425,282, the Centre maintained that the number of infections per lakh population was among the lowest in the world. An 85-year-old man succumbed to coronavirus in Goa on Monday, making it the first death due to the disease in the state, said Health Minister Vishwajit Rane. Goa has reported 818 infections out of which 683 are active cases. The first three cases were reported in a single day on March 25. According to the Union Health Ministry data, the country's COVID-19 death toll rose to 13,699 with the 445 new fatalities. In its update, the ministry said the total number of recoveries stood at 2,37,195 to clock a recovery rate of 55.77 per cent. Presently, there are 1,74,387 active cases and all are under medical supervision, it said. "The difference between the recovered patients and the active COVID-19 cases continues to widen. The number of recovered patients has crossed the number of active patients by 62,808," it added. With over 59,000 COVID-19 cases, Delhi has now surpassed Tamil Nadu to become the second worst affected state after Maharashtra. Even by death count till Sunday, which stood at 2,175, Delhi is in the second spot among the list of worst-hit states. Delhi recorded 3,000 fresh coronavirus cases on Sunday, taking the tally in the city to 59,746, authorities said. According to the central data, the tally for Tamil Nadu stood at 59,377, the third-highest in the country, just after Delhi while the number of fatalities was 757. Maharashtra is the worst-hit state with a total of 1,32,075 cases and 6,170 deaths, according to the ministry data. With Mumbai recording 66,488 cases till June 21, Delhi is likely to eclipse the city in the next few days. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal told an online media briefing that in the last one week, there was a rise of only 1,000 active coronavirus cases, which indicates that the COVID-19 situation is slowly getting stabilised in the city. From June 15 to 21, Delhi reported 18,564 coronavirus cases. However, 16,790 people also recovered in the said period. Kejriwal also said his government will give pulse oximeters to the COVID-19 patients under home isolation and said the number of tests has increased by three times. The oximeters are to be returned after the patient's recovery. Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive method for monitoring a person's oxygen saturation which is an essential element in the management and understanding of patient care. The chief minister said till now, Delhi did not require beds for COVID-19 patients on a large scale as most of them recovered from the disease, adding the number of serious patients is also less. The Union Health Ministry said India's COVID-19 cases per lakh people is one of the lowest in the world despite its high population density, and the recovery rate has now reached almost 56 per cent. For every one lakh population, there are 30.04 coronavirus cases in India, while the global average is over three times at 114.67, the ministry said, referring to the WHO Situation Report 153, dated June 21. "This low figure is thus a testimony to the graded, pre-emptive and pro-active approach the Government of India along with the states and UTs took for prevention, containment and management of COVID-19," the ministry said in a statement. Citing the WHO Situation Report, it said the US has 671.24 cases per lakh population, while Germany, Spain, Brazil and the UK have 583.88, 526.22, 489.42 and 448.86 cases per lakh population, respectively. It said Russia has 400.82 cases per lakh people, while Italy, Canada, Iran and Turkey have 393.52, 268.98, 242.82 and 223.53, respectively. Kerala reported its highest ever single day spike of 138 COVID-19 cases taking the total number to 3,308. This is the fourth straight day of over 100 infections being reported, after 118 on June 19, 127 on June 20 and 133 on Sunday. With increasing number of cases, the government also declared four more regions in the state as hot spots, taking the total number to 112. The country's first COVID-19 case was recorded in Kerala on January 30. Concerned over increase in COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa directed officials to implement lockdown measures strictly in the clusters which have reported more number of infections. Till Sunday evening, the state capital reported 1,272 cases of COVID-19, including 64 deaths and 411 discharges. On Sunday, as many as 196 fresh cases were recorded. In Gujarat, nearly 300 workers of diamond units in Surat city have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 10 days, following which fresh restrictions have been imposed on the industry's operations, an official said. As part of the new curbs, three main diamond trading markets will remain shut twice a week, while canteens of all the diamond polishing units will remain closed on all days to contain the spread of coronavirus, said Surat Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani. Uttar Pradesh, meanwhile, has become the first state to use the Railways' coronavirus isolation wards with coaches deployed at Mau station receiving 59 suspected COVID-19 cases in two days, officials said. They said eight people have already been discharged and 51 are housed in these non-air conditioned coaches, modified to work as COVID care centres.The admitted cases include women and children, the officials said. UP has reported over 18,000 coronavirus cases, while the death toll was 569. As pharmaceutical companies launch generic versions of Remdesivir and Favipiravir for COVID-19 treatment, medical experts said it was a "positive development" in the fight against the pandemic, but cautioned against regarding the antiviral drugs as "game changers". Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has launched the antiviral drug Favipiravir, under the brand name FabiFlu, for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 cases, while Cipla and Hetero have received approvals from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to launch Remdesivir under the brand names Cipremi and Covifor respectively. Cipla Ltd on Sunday announced the launch of Cipremi. Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS Delhi, said till date no effective treatment or vaccine to combat coronavirus has been found. "Till date we don't have evidence that a particular drug is effective, so we cannot call any drug game changer till then. With their launch, it will only be clear in the future how effective they will be. Whether they can play a supportive role in COVID-19 treatment is also not yet known," he told . PLB BUN KND RPS VT KSU PJT PD RRT ASK ASG GSN GSN GSN

You Searched For "cipremi medicines" and got 8 results

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After death count, Delhi now in 2nd spot in COVID-19 caseload too; Goa reports 1st fatality from the disease

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Goa reports 1st COVID-19 fatality as death toll jumps by a record 445, Delhi surpasses TN to be in 2nd spot

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