News Highlight
India’s first intra-nasal vaccine has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use in adults.
Key Takeaway
- Bharat Biotech has developed the vaccine with technology in-licensed from Washington University-St Louis.
- It is delivered through the nose instead of a shot in the arm.
The ChAd36-SARS-CoV-S COVID-19
- The nasal COVID19 vaccine, ChAd36-SARS-CoV-S COVID-19 (Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vectored), is a recombinant vaccine.
- The vaccine is stable between two and eight degrees Celsius for easy storage and distribution.
- The vaccine delivered through a nasal spray will do away with the need for needles and syringes currently required for all the Covid-19 vaccines available.
- It will also reduce dependence on personnel trained to give shots.
Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)
- It is the head of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in India.
- The DCGI also establishes standards for manufacturing, selling, importing, and distributing drugs in India.
- The DCGI also regulates medical and pharmaceutical devices.
- In case of any dispute with respect to the quality of the drug, the DCGI is the appellate authority.
- The DCGI prepares and maintains the national reference standard for drugs.
- It comes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
- The CDSCO is the Central Drug Authority for discharging functions assigned to the Central Government under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940.
- major functions:
- Regulatory control over the import of drugs, approval of new drugs and clinical trials.
- Approval of certain licences as Central Licence Approving Authority
Content Source: The Hindu