Role of ICMR in Facilitating Evidence-based Treatment

Synopsis: ICMR must assess evidence and provide specific recommendation on treatment. An Evidence-based Treatment will build public trust in the health care system.

Background

• Drugs and therapies are being used for the Covid-19 treatment, without clear evidence. For instance, convalescent plasma therapy (CPT), Hydroxychloroquine, and the anti-parasitic drug, ivermectin.
• Evidence-based ICMR guidelines can control this issue effectively.

 The case for non-evidence-based treatment: The Use of convalescent plasma therapy (CPT)

1. Last year, the ICMR, based on its clinical trial results, demonstrated that CPT neither saves lives nor improves the patient’s condition. However, ICMR was ineffective in informing the public about the issue. This led to the widespread use of CPT in many states.
2. In a recent statement, the ICMR recommended that the use of CPT  is advisable only in early moderate disease, or within seven days of symptoms.
3. Finally, in its latest guidelines, The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has finally dropped its recommendation on use of convalescent plasma therapy (CPT) as treatment for moderate COVID-19.
4. This comes after the results published by The Lancet. It found no effect of the use of CPT.
5. Further, evidence is emerging that CPT may be contributing to the evolution of coronavirus mutations.

What needs to be done?

• Not only CPT, but many drugs such as Hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin also, continue to find a place for the treatment of mild disease. It is also despite a specific mention of “low certainty of evidence.
• So, to avoid such situations in feature, the ICMR task force has to qualitatively assess evidence and be very specific with its recommendations.
• Further, ICMR should publicize these guidelines at regular intervals to educate the public about the evolving nature of the treatment.
• This will work better towards easing the pressure on doctors as well as in improving trust in systems

Source: The Hindu

ICMR’s International Symposium on “One Health” in India