NEW DELHI: In the wake of rising demand for Remdesivir for treatment of Covid-19 amid surge in severe cases, the Centre has prohibited exports of Remdesivir injection and Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) till the Covid-19 situation in the country improves.
Besides, companies have been asked to ramp up production of the drug and all local manufactures of Remdesivir have been advised to display on their website, details of their stockists or distributors to facilitate access to the drug.
Drugs inspectors and other officers have also been directed to verify stocks and check their malpractices and also take other effective actions to curb hoarding and black marketing.
Used for treating Ebola, the anti-viral drug has proven useful in the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
At present, seven Indian companies are producing Injection Remdesivir under voluntary licensing agreement with the Americal pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences that holds the patent for the product.
While the companies have installed capacity of about 38.80 lakh units per month, the Department of Pharmaceutical is in discussion with the industry to evaluate expanding production capacity in the existing facilities.
Many cities across India witnessed an acute shortage of Remdesivir. The shortage also gave way to black marketing.
The Centre has also advised states to follow the National Clinical Management Protocol for COVID-19 which is based on evidence and includes Remdesivir as an investigational therapy, i.e. where informed and shared decision making is essential, besides taking note of contra indications mentioned in the detailed guidelines.
“The States and UTs have been advised that these steps should again be communicated to all hospitals, both in public and private sector, and compliance monitored,” the health ministry said.
Besides, companies have been asked to ramp up production of the drug and all local manufactures of Remdesivir have been advised to display on their website, details of their stockists or distributors to facilitate access to the drug.
Drugs inspectors and other officers have also been directed to verify stocks and check their malpractices and also take other effective actions to curb hoarding and black marketing.
Used for treating Ebola, the anti-viral drug has proven useful in the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
At present, seven Indian companies are producing Injection Remdesivir under voluntary licensing agreement with the Americal pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences that holds the patent for the product.
While the companies have installed capacity of about 38.80 lakh units per month, the Department of Pharmaceutical is in discussion with the industry to evaluate expanding production capacity in the existing facilities.
Many cities across India witnessed an acute shortage of Remdesivir. The shortage also gave way to black marketing.
The Centre has also advised states to follow the National Clinical Management Protocol for COVID-19 which is based on evidence and includes Remdesivir as an investigational therapy, i.e. where informed and shared decision making is essential, besides taking note of contra indications mentioned in the detailed guidelines.
“The States and UTs have been advised that these steps should again be communicated to all hospitals, both in public and private sector, and compliance monitored,” the health ministry said.