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A Drug In Need


India in Pharma sector:

  • India enjoys an important position in the global pharmaceuticals sector, as India is the largest provider of generic drugs globally.
  • The Indian pharmaceutical industry meets over 50% of global demand for various vaccines, 40% of generic demand in the U.S. and 25% of all medicine in the U.K.
  • Presently, over 80% of the antiretroviral drugs used globally to combat AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) are supplied by Indian pharmaceutical firms.
  • The Indian pharmaceuticals market is the world’s third-largest in terms of volume and thirteenth-largest in terms of value. It has established itself as a global manufacturing and research hub.

Context:

  • US President Donald Trump has said he has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to relax India’s ban on hydroxychloroquine tablets so that the drug can be used to treat America’s COVID-19 patients.
  • India is one of the global leaders in the production of the drug.

Hydroxy-chloroquine against COVID-19:

  • The drug shows antiviral activity in vitro against coronaviruses, and specifically, SARS-CoV-2 [the virus that causes COVID-19].
  • Further, the study suggests that prophylaxis (treatment given to prevent disease) with hydroxy-chloroquine at approved doses could prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and may help to improve viral shedding.
  • Clinical trials are under way in China to know whether the drug can be used for treatment.

About Hydroxy-chloroquine :

  1. Hydroxy-chloroquine is an oral drug used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmune diseases are in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells.
  2. The popular anti-parasitic medication has been available since the 1940s. It’s been used to treat malaria.
  3. HCQ is a derivative of chloroquine, and has fewer side-effects.
  4. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.
  5. Chloroquine works by increasing the levels of haem or heme, a substance toxic to the malarial parasite in the blood. This kills the parasite and stops the infection from spreading.

ICMR Recommends Use of Hydroxy-Chloroquine:

  • Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
  • Its mandate is to conduct, coordinate and implement medical research for the benefit of the Society, translating medical innovations into products/processes and introducing them into the public health system.
  • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommends the use of hydroxychloroquine as a prophylactic for asymptomatic healthcare workers and contacts of people who have been infected by the virus.
  • The ICMR’s decision on wider use of the drug will, reportedly, depend on further research.
Conclusion:

  • India has one of the lowest manufacturing costs in the world – lower than that of the U.S. and almost half of the cost in Europe.
  • India should look up to and invest in biotechnology. India’s biotechnology industry, comprising biopharmaceuticals, bio-services, bio agriculture, bio-industry and bioinformatics is expected to grow at an average rate of around 30% a year and reach $100 billion by 2025.
  • To ensure health security of Indian people, revival of R&D and public sector API manufacturers is necessary. For example, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) should be promoted to invest in R&D.

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