In a first, India uses anti-HIV drugs on an Italian couple with coronavirus
India has moved further in the battle against coronavirus by using the Lopinavir/ Ritonavir combination, usually a second line HIV medication for the first time in the treatment of two Italian patients who tested positive for Coronavirus in Jaipur. According to the officials, due consent of the patients was sought before using the drug.
The officials also added that it is too early to say if the drugs are working, but they have followed all the due procedures.
“The drug has been used in China, hence is not a new drug. Of course, it has some side-effects. We cannot say if it is working but since this is the new use of an existing drug, we have to take consent of the patients before use,” a senior official said.
About this approval, the Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said: “Yes, ICMR has taken approval for use of second-line HIV drugs on COVID patients, but this Lopinavir/Ritonavir combination therapy has been approved for emergency use among COVID-19 patients with a moderate degree of severity with laid down protocols. Till now, this combination therapy has been given to two Italian patients hospitalised in Jaipur.”
ICMR had obtained permission for “restricted use in public health emergency” of the two-second line HIV medications to use against coronavirus. Seventy per cent of HIV positive patients in India are on first-line drugs. The medicines are manufactured in India mainly for export purposes, mostly to African countries. The combination of Lopinavir and Ritonavir has been approved for emergency medical use only if the COVID-19 situation in India turns into a public health emergency.
At the same time, sources said that 69-year-old from Italy, who had tested positive for coronavirus, will be discharged in the coming days.
“The 69-year-old who was presented with right lower lung lobe pneumonitis and was corona positive, now has no fever and is constantly improving,” said Rohit Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Medical and Health and Family Welfare.
He added that the patient’s blood counts have become normal and pneumonia is decreasing and is requiring much less oxygen. “Looking at this, we expect to be able to discharge him, fully recovered, within the next ten days. His wife, who too was corona positive, is also much better,” he said.
Source: The Indian Express