Nagpur: Experts in Covid treatment have various opinions about the use of Molnupiravir anti-virus drugs on which the Indian Medical Research Council (ICMR) has raised concern quoting the effects of the teratogenicity and mutagenicity effects other than other side effects.
Teratogenicity and mutagenicity refers to the process caused by drugs that can cause fetal defects.
Molnupiravir, who has entered the pharmaceutical market with many hype, now witness slack in sales shortly after ICMR raises the red flag.
Around a dozen pharmaceutical companies have launched drugs on the Indian market after the approval of the Indian Narcotics Control (DCGI).
As per expert, Molnupiravir will be given for five days within five days of the appearance of covid symptoms.
Dr.
Nitin Shinde’s disease specialist said that it was too early to say only one day Molnupiravir which could cause effects such as mutagenicity.
“There are other anti-virus drugs, but such careful words are not said about them at the initial stage.
Data is still inadequate to jump to any conclusion,” he said.
Dr.
Shinde stated that he had used Molnupiravir in his two patients and “the symptoms eased quickly”.
“The drug might be the reason,” he said and added, “the manufacturer has suggested the use of contraception for patients after treatment with this drug.
We also know it is not indicated for pregnant women, nursing mothers or young people,” he said.
Dr.
Harshavardhan Bora, a critical care consultant and internal medical specialist at Kingsway Hospital, said the data for the drug was only based on phase-III trials.
“It can be debated with how much depends on the data about ‘safety concerns’ only the phase-III test Not given to young patients or nursing mothers.
According to Dr.
Shushant Muley, it is responsible for Covid treatment at Orange City Hospital and the Research Institute, most of the patients get help from symptoms within three days even before molnupiravir treatment can be considered.
Dr.
Muley claims to have used drugs in patients, a doctor, “who responded well”.
Internal Medical Specialist Dr.
Nitin Wadaskar said that Molnupiravir must be considered for patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension or other comorbidity but must be avoided in young and stable patients without symptoms.
Critical care consultants Dr.
Rajesh Atal said drugs should not be tried and tested on the basis of only knowledge.
Dr.
Kamal Bhutada’s internal medicine specialist also said that if there were better concerns to avoid drugs.
Pharmaceutical trade experts such as Nitin Gandhi from the Gupta drug institution, Sunil Balani from Jai Baba’s medical store and Murlidhar Kewalramani from Suresh Medical said the current drug moved slowly from the shelf.
“The third wave can peak in February and the sale of this drug might pick steps too,” Gandhi said.
Blani said he had sold a few doses last week but there was no sale this week so far.