In the initial weeks, the company will make the drug available in hospitals across metros and tier I cities, and subsequently expand coverage to the rest of India, it informed.
“2-DG manufactured by Dr. Reddy’s has a purity of 99.5 percent,” it said. The oral drug was jointly developed by DRDO laboratory, the Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS) and Dr Reddy’s.
The price for the drug has been pegged at Rs. 990 for private procurements while for government supply, a subsidized rate will be offered.
“It can be administered only upon prescription and under the supervision of a qualified physician to hospitalised moderate to severe COVID-19 patients as an adjunct therapy to the existing standard of care. Emergency use approval for anti-COVID-19 therapeutic application of the drug was granted on May 1, 2021,” the company said.
Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy, Secretary Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman, DRDO said: “We are pleased to have worked closely with our long-term industry partner Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Hyderabad, for testing 2-DG as therapeutic application in treatment of COVID-19 patients. DRDO has been contributing in fight against COVID-19 pandemic with its spin off technologies.”
Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr. Reddy’s said: “2-DG is yet another addition to our COVID-19 portfolio that already covers the full spectrum of mild to moderate and severe conditions and includes a vaccine. We are extremely pleased to have partnered with DRDO in our collective fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”
