The Centre is rushing more supplies of Remdesivir to states amid reports of hoarding and black marketing of the medicine used to treat serious cases of Covid-19. 

“While the States have been advised to promote judicious use of Remdesivir which is listed as an Investigational Therapy by the Health Ministry, they have also been advised to take action against possible hoarding and black marketing of the drug,” according to an official statement.

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The Delhi Police, for instance, arrested a person on Wednesday for black marketing the medicine at exorbitant prices through WhatsApp groups. 

Production ramped up

Keeping in mind the sudden surge in demand in the country for Remdesivir Injection required for Covid-19 therapy, the production capacity is being ramped up from the current level of 38 lakh vials per month to 74 lakh vials per month. As many as 20 additional manufacturing sites for the drug have also been approved, the Health Ministry statement added.

Export of Remdesivir has also been prohibited in order to shore up domestic supplies.

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To further address reports of shortages in certain regions of the country and facilitate smooth inter-state supply of Remdesivir, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in coordination with the Department of Pharmaceuticals has made an interim allocation of Remdesivir for 19 States/UTs for the period up to 30th April, 2021.

Remdesivir being an investigational therapy drug given in acute and severe versions of COVID-19 where oxygen support is a must, this allocation pertains to 14 States to which medical oxygen is allocated and 5 other states where the high volume of supplies are being observed, the statement added.