India’s drug regulator approved the WHO-recommended antiviral medication Paxlovid on an emergency use authorization basis against the surging infection rate. Hyderabad-based Hetero labs will manufacture the generic version of the drug. The DCGI approved the usage to meet the medical need in light of the Covid outbreak.

This is a significant development in combating the surging cases. Last year, the drugmaker had announced a deal with MPP, an UN-backed body to issue a royalty-free license for manufacturing the generic version of Paxlovid in 95 middle-to-low-income countries. MPP announced a tie-up with 35 companies, including 19 drug manufacturers in our country. 

The drug was strongly recommended by the WHO based on a randomized controlled trial showing that the drug reduces the risk of hospitalization by 85% in high-risk groups after administration.

(Source:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/pfizers-game-changing-covid-19-pill-paxlovid-gets-dcgi-nod/articleshow/91018614.cms )