VIRAFIN

News: DCGI of India gave approval to the use of Antiviral drug VIRAFIN, to treat moderate COVID-19 in adults.

Virafin:

• It is an Antiviral drug.

• It helps patients recover faster from the COVID-19.

• It helps in treating chronic hepatitis B and C patients.

• It is being manufactured by Zydus Cadila.

• The trials indicate that the drug was able to control respiratory distress and failure which has been one of the major challenges in treating COVID-19.

DCGI: DRUG CONTROLLER GENERAL OF INDIA

• DCGI comes under the Ministry of Health and family welfare.

• It comes under the gamut of Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO).

• It is responsible for approval of licenses of specialised categories of drugs which includes blood and its products, vaccines, IV fluids.

• It further lays down the standards and quality of manufacturing, selling, import and distribution.

• DCGI also acts as an appellate authority in case of any dispute regarding quality of drugs. 

• It also prepares and maintains national reference standards. 

• It aims to bring uniformity in enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. 

• It also trains Drug Analysts deputed by State Drug Control Laboratories and other Institutions.