Contrary to promises that the indigenously developed Covid-19 drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) would be priced affordably to ensure it reaches as many patients as possible, the wonder drug has been priced at a steep ₹990 per sachet.
The drug was developed by scientists at the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a DRDO laboratory, and is being commercialised by pharma major Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.
What makes the pricing a surprise is that Dr Reddy’s Laboratories had last month issued a statement saying that the pricing of the drug was “being determined with a view to making it accessible and affordable to as many patients as possible”.
The pricing of 2-DG was announced by a top Dr Reddy’s Labs executive at an interactive session organised by Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) on Tuesday.
