ICMR to replace HCQ with anti-HIV drug; Kangra Tea Suggested

The Indian Council of Medical Research recently revised its advisories on Hydroxychloroquine. The Council is considering to replace the drug with anti-HIV drugs.

Highlights

The HCQ drug was recommended for asymptomatic health care workers. However, the ineffectiveness and side effects of the drug is making the council look into alternatives. The assessment of using HCQ by the Task Force says that front line workers working against COVID-19 are facing side effects such as nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting. This has made the council look for alternates to the drug.

The anti-HIV drugs are being recommended to replace HCQ. Apart from these drugs, the Kangra Tea has also been suggested.

Kangra Tea

Kangra Tea is a tea variety from Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The tea received GI tag in 2005.

The Kangra Tea is a Chinese variety called Camelia sinensis that was first planted in 1848. The 1905 earthquake and its damages forced the British to close several of the KAngra Tea factories in the region. Later, it was replenished in 2012.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2020