New Delhi: In a huge relief for COVID-19 patients, the government has reduced the prices of the anti-viral drug Remdesivir injection by nearly 50 per cent, to MRP Rs 2,450 per injection now, according to official sources quoted by IANS.
According to IANS, the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, Department of Pharmaceuticals, NPPA - Advisor (Costs) NI Chowdhury has ordered all pharma companies to comply with the revised norms with immediate and retrospective effect.
The demand for life-saver drug, has soared high amid huge spike in spread of COVID-19 in India. Amid reports of many states pressing the panic button over the shortage of the Remdesivir, manufacturers have now decided to slash the price.
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers DV Sadananda Gowda on Friday said that major manufacturers of Remdisivir have reduced the price significantly.
"On Govt’s intervention, major manufacturers of Remdesivir have voluntarily reduced its MRP ranging from Rs 5400 to less than Rs 3500 by 15.04.2021. This will support PM @narendramodi 's efforts to fight #COVID19," Gowda wrote in his tweet. He stated that the supply of the drug has been ramped up in view of the largescale demand.
"Total 6.69 lacs vials of Remdesivir have been made available to different States/UTs of the country during the last 5 days. The supply has been ramped up in the most effective states. Government is taking every necessary step to accelerate the production facilities of Remdesivir, it's capacity enhancement and availability," the minister informed.
Meanwhile, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has urged manufacturers of COVID drug Remdesivir to tool the revised MRP through a voluntary reduction of costs.
SHORTAGE OF REMDESIVIR IN MAHARASHTRA
Maharashtra, the worst-hit state in the country is grappling with shortage of beds, medical oxygen and Remdesivir. State Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Rajendra Shingane on Friday said that state will face a shortage of 12,000 to 15,000 Remdesivir, used as life saver against COVID-19, for the next two to three days.
Maharashtra on Friday, has instructed that the drug will be provided through collectors and area drug inspectors only. Issuing a toll-free number (1800222365), MVA government has urged people to contact the local area drug inspector via the number, to obtain Remdesivir.
Also, Centre has banned the export of Remdesivir and Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) till the situation in India improves. Additionally, all manufacturers have been instructed to display on their websites the status of the total production and supplied. Centre has also instructed drug inspectors to verify stocks and check their misconducts and also take other strict actions to curtail hoarding and black marketing.
