Jaipur: In A First, India Uses Second-Line Anti-HIV Drugs For Treatment Of Italian Couple With Coronavirus

In a major development, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), for the first time, has used second line HIV medication in the treatment of two Italian patients who had tested positive for the virus in Jaipur, reports Indian Express.

After taking due consent of the two patients, they were subjected to the Lopinavir/Ritonavir combination drug in moderate degrees under laid down protocols.

“The drug has been used in China, it is not exactly a new drug,” a senior official was quoted as saying in the report. He also added that it is too early to conclude that the drugs are working.

The health officials also added that the state of one of the two patients aged 69-years-old has been constantly improving and has no more fever. His blood count has also normalised and pneumonia has also decreased.

The said patient is set to be discharged in the next ten days. The other patient who is his wife has also shown improvement in her state.

ICMR is the premier medical research institution in the country. It has already obtained the permission for usage of the second line HIV combination drug for restricted usage in a public health emergency.

It should be noted that 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.