UPSC Articles
Shortage of anti-fungal injection, Amphotericin B
Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II – Health & GS-III – Sci & tech
In news
- Acute shortage of anti-fungal injection ‘amphotericin’ and other anti-fungal medicines used to treat mucormycosis, is now adding to difficulties of patients.
- Mucormycosis is a life-threatening infection that follows Covid-19 in roughly 30% diabetics.
Important value additions
- Amphotericin B injection is used to treat serious and potentially life-threatening fungal infections.
- It is in a class of medications called antifungals.
- It works by slowing the growth of fungi that cause infection.
- It is typically given by injection into a vein.
- Amphotericin B was isolated from Streptomyces nodosus in 1955 and came into medical use in 1958.
- It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines.
