Not enough evidence to prove plasma therapy works: Top IMCR scientist on why India changed treatment protocol

ICMR’s Dr Samiran Panda, who was part of the panel that dropped plasma therapy from Covid-19 management guidelines, has cited weak anecdotal evidence behind the task force’s decision to remove plasma therapy from the treatment protocol. The ICMR scientist also added that the use of convalescent plasma was expensive and resulting in panic and anxiety.

The Centre on Monday revised the clinical guidance for Covid-19 treatment, dropping the off-label use of convalescent plasma from the treatment protocol for adult patients. The development came after a meeting of the ICMR-National Task Force for Covid-19 wherein all members voted in favour of removing the use of convalescent plasma from the guidelines. Top ICMR official Cites evidence published in BMJ that plasma doesn’t benefitAnecdotal evidence not good enough ( on my question on state Govt’s like Delhi citing anecdotal evidence )Plasma therapy expensive -leading to panic- Leading to burdening of healthcare system https://t.co/7G6rt5c2Cn Dr Samiran Panda, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) scientist who was also a part of the panel that dropped plasma therapy from Covid-19 management guidelines, told India Today that the decision was taken since anecdotal evidence was very weak, and added that it was not helping patients but only resulting in panic.