Amid the increasing demand for Remdesivir to treat COVID-19 in every state and ensuring its adequate availability, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers DV Sadananda Gowda on Sunday announced the allocation of Remdesivir made up to May 23, 2021. Substantial increase has been made in overall production and allocation of Remdesivir, he said, taking to Twitter to make the announcement.
"Considering the requirement of Remdesivir in various states and Union territories, and to ensure its adequate availability, substantial increase has been made in its overall production and allocation," the Union minister tweeted.
The additional allocation of the anti-viral drug Remdesivir for each state is being made from April 21 to May 23.
In Northeast India, 6000 Remdesivir injections have been allocated for Manipur, while Assam, which has the maximum COVID-19 confirmed cases and highest death toll has been allocated 60,000 Remdisivir injections. Remdesivir, sold under the brand name Veklury, is a broad-spectrum antiviral medication developed by the biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, and is administered via injection into a vein.
In a letter written to all states by the Department of Pharmaceuticals and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare , it was mentioned that in continuation of the allocation plan of Remdesivir drug for the period April 21 to May 16, 2021 communicated by DO of even number issued on May 7, 2021, an updated allocation plan valid for a period of April 21 to May 23, 2021 is prepared jointly by the Department of Pharmaceuticals and the Health and Family Welfare Ministry, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertiliser stated in a release.
The allotment has been made for the states/UTs, and state governments and UTs have been asked to monitor proper distribution within the State/UT covering government and private hospitals as appropriate and in line with judicious use, the ministry stated.
State governments and UTs have been advised to place adequate purchase orders with the marketing companies immediately, if they have not already done so, for the quantity that they want to purchase out of allocation for the State/ UT as per supply chain in close coordination with liaison officers of the companies. The coordination with private distribution channels in the state could also be made, the ministry added.
