With several states witnessing an alarming upward trend in novel coronavirus cases, the Centre on Wednesday gave approval to pharma companies to increase the production and supply of Remdesivir, a medicine which is being used in the treatment of COVID-19.
In view of the increased demand for the medicine, the Centre on Sunday had prohibited the export of Remdesivir injection and its active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) till the situation in the country improves.
Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the issue of availability of Remdesivir at meetings with all-existing manufacturers of the drug and other stakeholders on Monday and Tuesday. At the meetings, it was also decided to reduce the price of the drug.
“The current total installed capacity of the seven manufacturers of Remdesivir is 38.80 lakh vials per month. Fast-track approval has been given for seven additional sites having the production capacity of 10 Lakh vials per month to six manufacturers. Another 30 lakh vials per month production is lined up. This would ramp up the production capacity for manufacturing to around 78 lakh vials per month,” the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
It said the manufacturers of Remdesivir have volunteered to reduce the price to less than Rs 3,500 by the end of this week. The ministry has directed the manufacturers to give priority to fulfil hospital/institutional level supplies.
“Enforcement Authorities of states and Central government have been directed by DCGI to take immediate action on incidence of black-marketing, hoarding and overcharging of Remdesivir,” the statement said, adding that the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) is continuously monitoring the availability of Remdesivir.
There are seven manufacturers of Remdesivir in the country.
