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Social Infrastructure, Employment and Human Development 353

and Health Systems Preparedness Package’ of `15000 crore was announced and implemented
with an aim to deliver a combination of emergency response and health system capacity building
efforts. Government has taken several measures including world's largest vaccination drive to
prevent, control, and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 (Box 7).

Box 7: Achievements in Fight Against COVID-19

• The Government has assessed and ensured the availability of the essential medicines, hand
sanitizers as well as protective equipments including masks, PPE Kits.
• A fast-track processing of applications for clinical trials and new drug including vaccines for
COVID-19.
• Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) issued a circular on easing out the lot
release of Human vaccines for smooth supply due to COVID-19 pandemic situation on 3 April,
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2020 and published a notice on extending validity of WHO GMP/CoPP certificate in light of
COVID-19 situation on 1 May, 2020.
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• CDSCO issued letter to States Drugs Controller requesting for regular survey on availability of
formulations like Azithromycin, Paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine. Government has issued
notification on 18 May, 2020 so that manufacturer can manufacture and stock any vaccine for
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COVID-19, which is under clinical trial, for sale or distribution after completion of clinical trial
and grant of manufacturing approval by CDSCO.

• Considering the emergency and unmet medical need, CDSCO has approved following three
drugs for Restricted Emergency Use in the country for treatment of COVID-19 infection:
 Remdesivir Injectable formulations for treatment of patients with severe COVID-19 infection
initially on 1 June 2020 for import and marketing and subsequently, for manufacture and
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marketing the same drug to three indigenous manufacturers.
 Manufacturing and marketing permission on 19 June 2020 for Favipiravir Tablets for mild
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to moderate COVID-19 infection.
 Marketing permission on 10.07.20 for Itolizumab injection for the treatment of Cytokine
Release Syndrome (CRS) in moderate to severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
(ARDS) patients due to COVID-19
• CDSCO has been able to process more than 150 applications of COVID-19 related new drug
and clinical trial applications after thorough deliberation of the proposals in more than 25
Subject Experts Committee meetings through video conference till 4 December 2020.
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• CDSCO has approved a total of 242 diagnostic kits for COVID-19 on fast-track basis which
includes 124 RT PCR kits and 118 Rapid antibody kits till 4 December, 2020.
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• Ministry of AYUSH issued an advisory about self-care guidelines and preventive health
measures for immunity. Ministry launched a three-month campaign on “AYUSH for Immunity”.
• A Fit Health Worker Campaign was launched at Auyshman Bharat-Health & Wellness Centres
(AB-HWCs) to enable the screening and early detection of non-communicable diseases in the
Frontline-Health care workers. This enabled the screening of more than 12 lakh in 502 districts
till 1 December, 2020 to enable them to take preventive, promotive and curative measures
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and also caution them towards their risk categorization towards COVID-19 as these frontline
workers were not only involved in ensuring essential services at these centres but also played
a crucial role in community-based surveillance and pandemic outbreak management related
activities in the community.