Correct Answer: Drug Controller General of India
Elaborate Explanation:
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) is the top authority in India that approves new medicines and vaccines for public use. In May 2021, DCGI approved the emergency use of a special drug called 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) to help in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
This drug was developed by scientists at the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), which is a part of DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), in collaboration with a pharmaceutical company, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories.
The trials showed that when 2-DG is used along with standard COVID-19 treatment:
• Patients recovered faster
• Their need for oxygen support reduced
That’s why DCGI gave permission to use this drug during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. The other options in the question (like WHO, ICMR, and the Ministry of Health) are important health organizations, but only the DCGI has the legal authority to approve the use of new medicines in India.
In summary: DCGI approved the use of 2-DG as an additional treatment to improve the recovery of COVID-19 patients in India.