India rolls out new local Covid drug after emergency approval

India has begun distributing a new locally developed drug to treat Covid-19 symptoms. 

Authorities have approved 2-DG and it is to be first used in hospitals across the capital, Delhi. 

According to a government statement, it "will be of immense benefit to the people suffering" from Covid-19.

However, some critics are warning that there is not enough data available to back up the drug's emergency approval as a Covid treatment. 

The drug – 2-deoxy-D-glucose or 2-DG – has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in cooperation with pharma company Dr Reddy's. 

"Clinical trial results have shown that this molecule helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence," the government said in a release.