Categories: Uncategorized

ICMR to meet on Friday for review on irrational use of plasma therapy

The Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) National task force on Covid-19 will meet on Friday to discuss the inappropriate use of convalescent plasma therapy in the treatment of ailing Covid-19 patients, news agency ANI reported quoting ICMR sources.

This meeting comes against the backdrop of clinicians and scientists in the country writing to the government’s principal scientific advisor K Vijay Raghavan urging caution against the “irrational and non-scientific use” of convalescent plasma in treating Covid-19 patients in India.

“We are writing to you as concerned clinicians, public health professionals and scientists from India about the irrational and non-scientific use of convalescent plasma for Covid-19 in the country,” a letter written by vaccinologist Gagandeep Kang and surgeon Pramesh C S among others said.

Concerns were raised after the Union health ministry issued a revised ‘Clinical Guidance for Management of Adult Covid-19 Patients’ on April 22, allowing the ‘off-label’ use of convalescent plasma to treat patients of Covid-19 afflicted with moderate symptoms, within 7 days of the onset of the disease.

Citing an ICMR-PLACID trial, the world’s first randomised control trial on the use of convalescent plasma conducted in 39 public and private hospitals across the nation, the letter also alleged that the current guidelines on plasma therapy are not based on existing evidence.

“The current research evidence unanimously indicates that there is no benefit offered by convalescent plasma for treatment of Covid-19. However, it continues to be prescribed rampantly in hospitals across India,” the letter said.

Medically Speaking Team

Recent Posts

ANTIBIOTIC MISUSE IN INDIA: HOW IT’S MAKING INFECTION TREATMENT MORE CHALLENGING

Antibiotic use has surged globally, leading to a rise in antibiotic resistance, especially concerning in…

10 hours ago

CHILD DIES FROM CHOKING ON CANDY: HOW TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST CHOKING HAZARDS IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Choking is a leading cause of injury and death in young children, particularly those under…

12 hours ago

Video: How Hard Water Leads to Hair Fall and Expert Tips to Combat It

Hard Water (Khara Pani) Leading To Hair Fall Hard water is rich in minerals and…

14 hours ago

“How High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Is Rising: What Every Expectant Mother Should Know”

Discover how the rise in high blood pressure during pregnancy is impacting maternal and fetal…

14 hours ago

“Revitalize Your Weight Loss Journey: 6 Powerful Homemade Drinks to Naturally Melt Away Fat!”

"Discover the transformative power of six delicious homemade drinks that can help you naturally melt…

14 hours ago

“Revitalize Your Weight Loss Journey: 8 Powerful Fat-Flushing Drinks to Boost Your Results!”

"Transform your weight loss routine with these eight delicious fat-flushing drinks that not only hydrate…

14 hours ago