Remdesivir export halted to meet rising demand

INDIA last Sunday (11) banned the export of remdesivir as infections soared to a new daily high and hospitals grappled with increasing demand for the coronavirus treatment drug.

A surge in cases has led to a “sudden spike in demand” for the antiviral drug, the health ministry said.

“There is a potential of further increase in this demand in the coming days,” the ministry said, adding that the export ban would be in place “till the situation improves”.

Remdesivir, made by US pharma giant Gilead, was one of the first drugs to show relative promise in shortening the recovery time for some Covid-19 patients.

But a World Health Organisation-backed study has said that the drug had “little or no effect” on Covid-19 mortality.

Gilead last year signed licensing agreements with generic pharmaceutical producers based in India, Pakistan and Egypt, allowing them to manufacture remdesivir for distribution in 127 mostly low and lower-middle income nations.

The ban came as Maharashtra, which has been the main driver of the infection spike, explored announcing a complete lockdown.

India had shied away from harsh restrictions since a months-long nationwide lockdown - one of the strictest in the world - was gradually lifted last year, amid fears of shattering the economy.

The chief minister of Delhi said last Sunday his government was not in favour of a lockdown, but would consider the drastic measure if hospital beds start running out. He added 65 per cent of new Covid-19 patients were less than 45 years old.

Prime minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a four-day “vaccine festival.”