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.