NEW DELHI, June 2 (Xinhua) -- India's top drug regulatory body Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved the use of the antiviral medication remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in emergency cases, a local newspaper Indian Express reported Tuesday.

"The injectable medicine was approved by Drugs Controller General of India Dr V G Somani for administration as part of a maximum five-day regimen," the newspaper said.

Remdesivir is one of the most closely watched drugs in global clinical trials to find a cure for COVID-19. The drug is manufactured by the United States biopharma giant Gilead Sciences.

"The approval paves the way for generic voluntary licence holders in our country to manufacture remdesivir," the newspaper quoting an official as saying.

The drug regulator has decided against extending the use of the drug to 10 days based on existing evidence presented to it at the time of approval, the newspaper said.