Conflicting signals from drug regulator, COVID-19 task force
The Hindu
On a few occasions, the national COVID-19 task force has refused to include drugs and vaccines that have been granted an EUA by the regulator
On December 28 last year, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted saying that in further strengthening the fight against COVID-19, the Indian drug regulator has granted emergency use approval for the antiviral drug molnupiravir. He also mentioned that molnupiravir will be manufactured by 13 generic drug manufacturers in India.
“Considering the emergency and unmet medical need in COVID-19, the SEC on December 27 recommended for grant of permission to manufacture and market molnupiravir for restricted use under emergency situation in the country for treatment of adult patients with COVID-19,” the drug regulator said in a statement.
A week later, on January 5, at a press conference, the Director-General of ICMR Dr. Balram Bhargava said molnupiravir has major safety concerns and therefore was not included in the national protocol for treatment of coronavirus.

The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday ordered the issue of a notice to the State government on a PIL petition, which had complained about disturbances caused to people residing in the localities around the National Public School situated in Rajajinagar 5th block due to use of loudspeakers with high volume in the school and parking of school buses in residential areas.












