Bengaluru: The Ministry of Health and the Welfare of the State Family has begun the process of procuring essential drugs ahead of the possibility of the third wave of Covid-19 infection.
This list has eight drugs including enocaparin (blood thinners), remedic antiviral drugs, steroids such as dexamethasone, and antifungal drug amphotericin b posaconazole.
The quantity that will be obtained is based on the requirements during the second wave peak in May.
But the list does not include monoclonal antibodies that are widely used by private hospitals, especially in people with comorbidity.
Drdo medication 2dg also from the list.
While some doctors in private hospitals have used 2DG, there is no consensus on the efficacy of the drug.
However, the doctor said monoclonal antibodies did reduce the severity of the disease.
Monoclonal antibody cocktails contain two drugs – Casarivimab and IMDEVIMAB.
New concoctions, he came in a bottle of two doses, each dose charged by Rs 60,000.
The doctor said it was offering hopes for comorbid patients who have mild to moderate covid infections but facing higher risks of complications.
Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to combat disease.
Monoclonal antibodies are lab artificial proteins that mimic this response.
The doctor said the drug binded the SARS-COV-2 surge protein, limiting replication.
The drug gained global attention last year after being given to former US President Donald Trump.
Roche India accepts emergency use authorization on May 5 for drugs.
At Manipal Hospital, the airport road, Bengaluru, more than 150 patients have been given drugs so far.
“When given to the right patient at the right time, it prevents disease severe,” said Dr.
Satyanarayana Mysore, Hod, Pulmonology Department, Manipal Hospital.
“Stockpile of the drug to be used in patients in need can reduce the third wave intensity.” The only limit was a two-dose bottle, said Dr.
Deepak Blani, head of medical services, WORLD SAKRA Hospital.
“After opening, the contents must be used within 36 hours, so you need to have two patients who are ready to take the medicine.
Finding other patients whose clinical features match the guidelines of use are often a challenge.
Poor-rich split experts say the fact that monoclonal antibodies are lost From the list of drugs that will be obtained by the government, only highlight the difference between chaos and none.
“BBMP, for example, does not understand the processes involved when referring to Covid patients to private hospitals and suggesting they take monoclonal antibody drugs,” said an expert Who works with covid taskforce.
“The drug cannot be used when it is not part of the government protocol.
Replacement of costs is a problem.
If it is not included by the government, we will only see more fighting between hospitals and relatives of patients who cannot afford drugs.
“KS LATHA KUARI, Managing Director, Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd., said the list of drugs was decided by the Narcotics Procurement Committee of the Ministry of Health and family welfare.
He said 2DG and monoclonal antibodies were not included in the list by the committee in the directive to KSMSCL.
Dr.
Anna Saheb Narahatti, Director, Department of Welfare Welfare and Family, said 2DG and monoclonal antibodies were not considered because the center had not included it in the protocol for Covid treatment.