All export of anti-viral drug Remdesivir banned by govt
Govt: Ban till Covid situation in country stabilises
India has banned all exports of the anti-viral drug Remdesivir amidst a surge in Covid-19 cases across the country. In an order, the government said it has banned the export of Remdesivir injection and Remdesivir active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) till the pandemic situation in the country stabilises.
Remdesivir is considered a key anti-viral drug in the fight against Covid-19, especially in adult patients with severe complications. Seven Indian companies are producing Injection Remdesivir under voluntary licensing agreement with M/s Gilead Sciences, USA. They have an installed capacity of about 38.80 lakh units per month.
In a statement, the Centre said: “Export of injection Remdesivir and Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients prohibited till the Covid-19 situation in the country improves.” To ensure more people can get Remdesivir, the government said that the manufactures of Remdesivir have been asked to show on their websites the details of their stockists and distributors.
India has banned export of the anti-viral drug Remdesivir amid a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country. In an order, the government said it has banned export of Remdesivir injection and Remdesivir active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) till the pandemic situation in the country stabilises.
Remdesivir is considered a key anti-viral drug in the fight against Covid19, especially in adult patients with severe complications. Seven Indian companies are producing Injection Remdesivir under voluntary licensing agreement with M/s. Gilead Sciences, USA. They have an installed capacity of about 38.80 lakh units per month.
In a statement, the Centre said, “Export of injection Remdesivir and Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) prohibited till the Covid-19 situation in the country improves.”
To ensure more people can get Remdesivir, the government said manufactures of Remdesivir have been asked to show on their website the details of their stockists and distributors. Drugs inspectors and other officers have been asked to verify stocks, check any malpractice and stop hoarding and black marketing.
“The Department of Pharmaceuticals has been in contact with the domestic manufacturers to ramp up the production of Remdesivir,” the government said. The National Clinical Management Protocol for Covid-19 lists Remdesivir as an investigational therapy, where informed and shared decision making is essential.
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 decision comes days after several states reported shortage of the antiviral drug or injection used to treat novel coronavirus cases. Several areas in a few states are witnessing people queueing up outside medical stores for the drug as the novel coronavirus cases in the country touch over daily highs for the past few days.
Maharashtra revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat had earlier said there is shortage of Remdesivir injections and the supply of vaccine doses was inadequate.
On Thursday, the state government capped the price of Remdesivir between `1,100 and `1,400 per vial and warned against its hoarding and black marketing.