COVID19 and Repurposing of Drugs for Prophylaxis

Corona virus disease (COVID-19) has created pandemic in the world as declared by W.H.O. on March 12, 2020. It is a viral disease caused by SARS-CoV 2 virus and has affected large populations in 231 countries. There is no specific treatment available and management is empirical. On the backdrop of this novel corona virus (COVID-19-SARS-CoV2) creating a pandemic and resulting in lockdown of cities with sealing of the borders, it is an emergent need that the medical and scientific community undertake quick measures. This virus has made social, political, economic, financial, medical, and scientific fraternity to go in a state of emergency. The spread of the virus has been as fast as the dissemination of fear and false news. Rapid isolation measures (test, trace and treat), social distancing of two meters, hand washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or sanitizer and wearing of masks have restricted the spread. Yet, we still have not found solutions to treat the COVID 19 disease when it has affected individuals despite many drug and vaccine clinical trials that the world is looking forward to. We have also not been able to device methodology to prevent the occurrence of infection, to find drugs that can act as prophylactic medicines or drugs that can prevent the affected patient from developing severe lung injury and other complications that can ensue. Present commentary deals with some of these prophylactic measures. Keywords: CoVid 19, Prophylaxis, Repurposing drugs