Liposomal amphotericin B crisis worsens

The shortage of the life saving liposomal amphotericin B injection to treat black fungus became even more severe on Tuesday as the Red Cross, the official agency distributing the injection, did not receive a single vial.

The Red Cross received 50 vials of ampholip (amphotericin B) injection. According to doctors, simple amphotericin B injection without the salt liposomal might have an adverse effect on a patient’s kidney.

On Tuesday, around 40 to 50 patients of black fungus admitted in various hospitals across the city needed liposomal amphotericin B injection.

Each patient requires a dose of at least six injections every day. This requirement may be more depending on patient’s condition. The complete course of the drug varies from 10 days to 21 days depending on the patient’s condition.

But on Saturday evening, when the consignment arrived at the Red Cross office in Qaiserbagh, the kin of patients were dejected on coming to know that it was of amphotericin B injection and not liposomal amphotericin B. With no option, four attendants accepted the amphotericin B injection. “We received 50 amphotericin B injections today (Tuesday), though the, requirement was of liposomal amphotericin B injection. Only four attendants took the injection,” said Jitendra Chauhan, Red Cross official. According to doctors, liposomal amphotericin B injection is to be administered to a patient every day till the cycle of doses is completed. “If the injection is not available and the cycle breaks in between, then the entire exercise (treatment) is rendered futile,” said a doctor.