Several newspaper reports have published that the India Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in a significant move, has sought an emergency approval from Central Drug Control Organisation (CDCSO) to use combination of anti-HIV drugs- 'Lopinavir and Ritonavir' tablets for the treatment of novel coronavirus (nCoV) patients in India.

This is only for restrictive use in the interest of the public health emergency. "This decision has been taken in the recent meetings over the preparedness action on novel coronavirus. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved to use the combination of 'Lopinavir and Ritonavir' tablets for the treatment of nCoV patients for restrictive use in the interest of the public health emergency," sources told ANI.

"As of now, there is no specific drug or vaccine to treat patients of coronavirus. Doctors across the globe are treating respiratory patients with supportive medication following the clinical guidelines of WHO," soured said. According to the latest data by the Union Health Ministry, about 5123 people are under observation (community surveillance) across the country out of which 128 patients are hospitalised for suspected coronavirus infection.

This is only for restrictive use in the interest of the public health emergency.