INDIA DEVELOPED 1st VACCINE FOR COV ID 19. FABI FLU(favipiravir).

INTRODUCTION -
Glenmark becomes the first pharmaceutical company in india to receive  regulatory approval for oral antiviral  favipiravir,  for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19.
BRAND NAME AND GENERIC NAME-
Favipiravir,  sold under the brand name of
Fabiflu,  avigan or abigan is an antiviral medication used to treat influenza in japan. 








Mechanism of action to stop SARS COV2 ?? 

The drug works by short-circulating the production mechanism of certain RNA viruses such as influenza. 

It hinders the activity of RNA dependant RNA polymerase (Rdrb) of SARS COV 2.
 
This leads to the blocking of viral replication and thus reduce the viral load and severity of the diseases.

Will this work in all COVID-19 cases? 

Glenmark has said that the drug is advised for mild to moderate Covid-19 cases.

  • To address urgency of rising Covid-19 cases,  drug controller general of india fast tracked permission to Glenmark pharmaceuticals to manufacture and marketing favipiravir tablets.
It is fully tested yet?? 
Glenmark has started that its phase three clinical trails using antiviral drug favipiravir for covid-19 patients showing early promising results. 

The DCGI has approved the drug for restricted emergency use,  even as the results are yet to be declared. 

GENERAL STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT OF VACCINE ARE- 

  1. Exploratory stage
  2. Pre clinical stage
  3. Clinical development 
  4. Regulatory review and approval 
  5. Manufacturing 
  6. Quality control
HOW EFFECTIVE IS FAVIPIRAVIR?? 

  • Studies from Japan,  Russia and china have show positive results.
  • Favipiravir shows clinical improvement of up to 80% in COVID-19,  with rapid reduction in viral load by 4 days.
  • Clinical improvement noted across age group 20-90  years,  including patients with co-morbid  conditions like diabetes and heart disease suffering from mild to moderate COVID-19.
SIDE EFFECTS - 
  •  It has some teratogenic effect.
  • The mechanism that makes avigan against effective against viruses also makes it destructive  to the rapid growth of foetuses..
CAN YOU TAKE FABIFLU  WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION?? 

  • No it is a prescription DRUG
  • Also doctors will need a patients consent before prescription the drug. 
  • According to Glenmark,  the drug can be used in ccovid-19 patients  with co morbid conditions such as diabetes and heart diaease,  who have mild to moderate symptoms of the disease. 
  • It offers rapid reduction of viral load within four days and provides faster symptomatic improvement. 
ADVANTAGES OF FAVIPIRAVIR -

  • Oral tablets 
  • Easy to administer 
  • Can be taken at home (with a prescription )
  • Manufactured in india. 
COST -

  • The drug is priced at 3500/- for a pack of 34 tablets.
  • 103/- per tablet.
  • It will be available in retail chemist stores and hospital by next week.








Currently the drug is the subject of at least 18 clinical trails involving more than 3000 patients across the india,  usa,  canada,  italy,  france,  uk,  china and others.


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