Pune: A total of 5,900 vials of Remdesivir injection were received and distributed among more than 500 hospitals in the Pune district, FDA officials here said on Monday. Against the shortage of the anti-viral drug, which is in huge demand for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, this may prove a little relief for those who are running day-and-night to procure the vials.
"A total of 18 flying squads for rural as well as urban areas have been formed to prevent black marketing of the drug. Today, we received 5,900 vials of the drug and distributed them among 511 hospitals through stockists," a senior Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official was quoted as saying by PTI.
The hospitals have been directed by the state health department to use Remdesivir only for the needy patients, he informed.
Relatives of COVID-19 patients and small hospitals are continuously reporting the shortage of Remdesivir and Tocillizumab. Remdesivir, the ‘life-saver’ is considered as a key anti-viral drug in the battle against COVID-19. Amid the shortage of this drug, many cases of black marketing are being reported in the district for past few days. Several states around the country have asked for more supplies amid the record spike in COVID-19 infections.
Meanwhile, Pune district on Monday reported 9,582 new coronavirus cases, taking its COVID-19 caseload to 7,32,058, according to data released by the health department. Also, the death toll rose to 11,535 with 107 more patients losing their lives to the infection in the hub of the pandemic.
Of the 9,582 cases, 4,587 were reported from Pune city limits (Pune Municipal Corporation) taking the total count to 3,71,824. While, 6,473 patients were also discharged from hospitals during the day, the health department informed.
With 2,279 new cases, the COVID-19 total in Pimpri- Chinchwad rose to 1,86,025. The number of positive cases in rural and Pune Cantonment Board areas now stands at 1,74,209.
