Remdesivir to Itolizumab: How effective are the drugs for Covid treatment?

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved five drugs in the last month for Covid-19 treatment – two antiviral: Remdesivir and Favipiravir – and three for easing the symptoms: Dexamethasone, Tocilizumab and Itolizumab. These drugs’ use is bound to birth complications considering there are doubts about the evidence the government has furnished – or not – to approve their use.

Remdesivir costs around Rs 5,000 per vial with a total treatment cost in the range of Rs 35,000-50,000. Favipiravir costs Rs 103 per 200 mg tablet; the total treatment cost ranges from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000. A