New Delhi: In view of increasing demand for Remdesivir due to an increase in cases of Covid-19, the Center on Sunday said that the export of anti-viral injection and its active drug content (API) was halted until the situation improved. Apart from this, the Union Health Ministry said that to ensure easy availability of the drug, all domestic manufacturers of Remadecivir have been advised to display the information of their vendors and distributors on its website.
Drug inspectors and other officials have been instructed to verify the stock, investigate malpractices and take other effective steps to prevent its hoarding and black marketing. The health secretaries of the states will review this with the drug inspectors of the respective states and union territories.
The ministry said, “Covid cases are increasing rapidly in India. The number of patients undergoing treatment in the country till April 11 is 11.08 lakhs and this number is increasing rapidly. Due to this, the demand for Remadecivir injection used in the treatment of Covid patients has increased rapidly. ” He said that its demand may increase further in the coming days.
The ministry said seven Indian companies are producing the injections under a voluntary licensing agreement with Ms. Gilead Sciences, USA. They have the capacity to make about 38.80 lakh units per month. He said, “The Government of India has banned the export of Remadecivir and its Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) until the situation improves.” The ministry said that the pharmaceutical department is in touch with domestic manufacturers to increase the production of the drug.
