Allow use of Remdesivir stock not exported: Maha

April 15, 2021 15:19

People protest over lack of Remdesivir in Pune

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday said they have requested the Centre to allow the Remdesivir stock, which has not been exported after a ban on it, to be distributed in the domestic market to bridge the gap in its demand and supply.

In view of a sudden spike in demand due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, India on Sunday banned the export of Remdesivir injections till the situation improves.

Remdesivir is listed for use in serious COVID-19 patients in the Clinical Management Protocols for COVID-19 as an investigational therapy. "We have requested the Centre to allow the exportable Remdesivir stock to be distributed in the domestic market. It will help in bridging the gap between the demand and supply of the medicine," Tope told reporters.

According to officials in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), around 40,000 injections of the medicine are currently being supplied in the state, but it is not adequate and there is a need of another 10,000 vials. Tope said they have asked all the doctors treating COVID-19 patients to use Remdesivir judiciously.

"The state COVID-19 task force has given clear instructions on the use of Remdesivir, but we have still noticed its over-usage. It is one of the reasons for the shortage of the medicine in the state, he said. The minister said it takes about 15 days for the production of one batch of the drug doses (depending upon a company's production capacity), and he was hopeful that the supply would increase in the next seven days. - PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

T20 World Cup: Chief selector Agarkar to meet Rohit in Delhi

Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma are expected to have an informal meeting in New Delhi to discuss India's 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup.

DC captain Pant slams Impact Player rule

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant is the latest India star to express his apprehensions about the contentious Impact Player rule.

IPL PIX: Samson, Jurel shine as Royals trounce LSG

Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel struck unbeaten half-centuries to power Rajasthan Royals to an emphatic seven-wicket victory against Lucknow Super Giants.

If elected, INDIA bloc to have 5 PMs in 5 years: Modi

Congress wants to change the Constitution and rob Dalits, OBCs of quota benefits for religion-based reservation, Modi said.

Not a single rupee...: Kejriwal to SC on ED charges

'The present case is a classic case of how the ruling party led central government has misused the central agency- Enforcement Directorate and its wide powers under PMLA to crush its biggest political opponent -Aam Aadmi Party and its...