Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
- January 7, 2022
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Subject – Science and Tech
Context – Anti-Covid pill Molnupiravir: Approved, not recommended
Concept –
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research. (HQ -New Delhi).
- Its mandate is to conduct, coordinate and implement medical research for the benefit of the Society; translating medical innovations into products/processes and introducing them into the public health system.
- It is funded by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
- It is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world.
Molnupiravir
- Molnupiravir is a repurposed Covid-19 drug, originally developed to treat influenza. It is meant for mild or moderately ill Covid-19 patients who are at risk of developing serious illness.
- The pill, if administered during the first five days after contracting the infection, has the potential to prevent serious illnesses.
- The pill is among the first few therapeutics now being deployed for treatment of Covid-19. Molnupiravir was first cleared for use in the UK in November, and more recently in the US.
To know more about Molnupiravir, please refer October 2021 DPN.