Madras Medical College finds 5 donors for plasma trials

The clinical trial titled, ‘A phase ii, open label, randomised controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma to limit COVID-19 associated complications in moderate disease’ (PLACID trial) by ICMR is being implemented for testing the safety and efficacy of plasma to reduce the risk of complications due to COVID-19. Those with mild and moderate cases of the infection would undergo the therapy at Madras Medical College and Hospital using the plasma donated by recovered patients.

“The paper work for the clinical trial is almost over and the approval of ICMR authorities is awaited. So far, eight recovered patients have volunteered to donate plasma, of which five have been identified for the procedure. The consent of the patients in the moderate disease category, who match the donors and suit the trial, has been taken. However, the ICMR has to approve the plasma therapy recipients,” said Dr S Subhash, head of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital blood bank.

A senior official from the Madras Medical College and Hospital said that the details including the number of patients receiving plasma therapy would be kept confidential, as it is a clinical trial. The findings would be revealed after the trial is completed.

So far, ICMR has approved five medical colleges in Tamil Nadu, including Madras Medical College, Madurai Medical College Hospital, Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, and PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, to undertake the clinical trial, while seven more medical institutions from the State are under consideration.