The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), in August 2024, granted approval to Siemens Healthineers for the manufacture of RT-PCR testing kits for the detection of _____________.

Correct option is D

The correct answer is: (d) Monkeypox

Explanation:
In August 2024, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) approved Siemens Healthineers for the manufacture of RT-PCR testing kits designed to detect Monkeypox (Mpox). These kits, named IMDX Monkeypox Detection RT-PCR Assay, are manufactured at Siemens’ molecular diagnostics facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Information Booster:

• Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the Monkeypox virus, part of the Orthopoxvirus genus.

• The approval supports India's pandemic preparedness and aligns with Make in India in the diagnostic sector.

• Clade I and Clade II refer to two genetic variants of the Monkeypox virus; detection of both ensures wide coverage.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern in August 2024, emphasizing the need for robust diagnostic tools.
  

• CDSCO is India’s national regulatory authority for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.