Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high level meeting to review the availability and supply of oxygen and medicines in the country as part of the government’s wartime measures to break the second wave of the devastating coronavirus pandemic.

The health minister informed the PM that the supply of drugs being used in the management of Covid as well as Mucormycosis (black fungus) were being closely monitored. Government officials are also in regular touch with the manufacturers to enhance production and extend all help that is required.

PM was also informed about the current production and stocks of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for each medicine. He wanted to know whether logistics were being taken care of to provide these medicines to all the states in adequate quantities.

The Prime Minister was also informed that the production of all drugs including Remdesivir have been ramped up significantly in the last few weeks.

He pointed out that India has a very vibrant pharmaceuticals sector and Government officials must continue to operate in close coordination with the supply chain to ensure proper availability of all medicines.

It was discussed that the supply of oxygen is now more than three times the supply during the peak of the first wave. The PM was briefed about the operations of the railways and Indian Air Force to speed up the supply of oxygen.  The procurement of oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders as well and the status of oxygen plants being installed across the country.

PM Modi also said that states should be asked to operationalize ventilators in a time-bound manner and resolve technical and training issues with the help of the manufacturers.