On March 28, 2020, ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) announced that India is to participate in trials of WHO (World Health Organization). The trials are to identify potential cures for the outbreak of COVID-19.

Highlights

So far, the COVID-19 infected cases were few in numbers that India could not participate in the trials. Now with the number of cases increasing to 940, India becomes eligible to participate in the WHO solidarity trials. The WHO has launched 4 mega trials. The trials include the use of drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, currently used by India and also HIV drugs such as Lopinavir and Ritonavir.

Apart from India, other countries such as France, Iran, Thailand, Argentina, Canada, Norway, Spain, South Africa and Switzerland.

Current Steps

India is to import 3.4 million probes for rapid testing of the virus. India will participate in all the trials of WHO. There are around 50 different trials being conducted by the organization.