New Delhi: The use of convalescent plasma has been dropped from the recommended treatment protocols for COVID-19, according to the latest guidelines released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Monday.
Earlier, as per the ICMR advisory on April 22, Convalescent plasma (Off label) was considered only when the following criteria were met: Early moderate disease (preferably within 7 days of symptom onset, no use after 7 days) and Availability of high titre donor plasma (Signal to cut-off ratio (S/O) >3.5 or equivalent depending on the test kit being used).
As per the previous advisory, Remdesivir, Tocilizumab (off label) and Convalescent plasma (Off label) were used for treatment of COVID-19 patients.
However, as per the latest advisory, only Remdesivir, Tocilizumab (off label) can be used.
On May 14, a meeting of the ICMR-National Task Force for Covid-19 was held during which its ‘ineffectiveness’ in a number of cases was discussed.
With the cases surging in the country, there has been a spur in the demand for plasma donors, even as experts raise concerns over the efficacy of plasma therapy for Covid-19 patients.
