ICMR urges the hospitals to use therapies with caution

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – the nation’s apex health research body – told the states to use medicines with caution and avoid non-selective utilization of ‘investigational therapies’ for Covid-19.

ICMR and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) claimed “indiscriminate use or use in conditions for which investigational therapies are not desirable may cause more harm than good”.

The officials stated this at a virtual meeting organized on Friday while addressing about Covid Case management.

Purpose of the medicine has to be with “extreme caution”, the members asserted. ICMR suggested that the doctors should recommend usage of any new repurposed drug to be administered in the hospital under their guidance, so that potential adverse reactions can be effectively put at bay. Also any such drug should be administered by doctor after getting consent in a written format from the patient.

It stated to keep a tab in identifying mild to moderate and severe cases, where priority should be given to patients with severe asphyxia due to lack of oxygen. An adequate oxygen support through ventilators should be provided, followed by timely administration of anti coagulants and economical corticosteroids regularly till covid-19 mitigates.

ICMR spokesperson said that repurposing of drugs for covid-19 has been tailored for emergency usage and is not part of management protocol. Hence, restricted emergency usage caution is required.