India studies efficacy of anti-malaria drug on virus

The medicine has shown to reduce the viral load in patients, experts say

nNEWDELHI: India has begun a demonstration study in health workers and close contacts of positive coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases on the efficacy of the antimalaria drug, hydroxychloroquine, as a prophylactic drug against Covid-19.

“It is a proof-of-concept study that is being done to see how successful is a particular medicine in preventing high-risk people from getting infected. What we are doing differently from the studies done in other countries is that we are checking whether it can work as a prophylactic medicine, whereas everywhere else it was given to positive patients as a treatment option with somewhat positive results,” says Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar, chief, epidemiology division, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The dosage given to people in India is 400mg, twice a day, for one day, and subsequently 400mg once a week.

The course is recommended for seven weeks.

“In positive patients, the medicine has shown to reduce the viral load, and we aim to see whether it will prevent infection or not,” said Dr Gangakhedkar.

Last week, the government approved the “restricted” use of the drug for prophylaxis of Sarscov-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.

The drug is approved in India for two categories that are asymptomatic healthcare workers involved in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of Covid-19; and asymptomatic household contacts of laboratory-confirmed cases that live in close proximity with the patients and run the risk of getting infected.

According to sources, around 1,000 people have been put on the medicine as part of the study.

The National Taskforce for Covid-19 recommends the use of hydroxy-chloroquine (anti-malaria drug) for prophylaxis of SARS-COV-2 infection for selected individuals