Government to discontinue Central Allocation of Remdesivir

According to Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, government has decided to discontinue Central Allocation of Remdesivir to States and directed National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Agency to monitor availability of Remdesivir in India.

Highlights

Minister highlights, production of Remdesivir has increased ten times from 33,000 vials per day in April 2021 to 3,50,000 vials per day in May. According to him, Government has also increased number of plants producing Remdesivir from to 60 from 20 within a month. Thus, India has enough Remdesivir because supply is more than demand. Apart from that, 50 lakh vials of Remdesivir will be procured by central government to maintain it as strategic stock for emergency requirement.

Remdesivir

Remdesivir, an antiviral medication, sold under brand name Veklury. It was developed by biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences to administer it via injection. It was authorized for emergency use to treat COVID-19 across 50 countries. However, World Health Organization made a conditional recommendation in November 2020 for use of remdesivir to treat covid-19.

Background

Remdesivir was developed to treat hepatitis C. Subsequently, it was investigated for Ebola virus disease, Marburg virus infections and coronavirus.

Side effects of Remdesivir

Common side effect in healthy volunteers includes, raised blood levels of liver enzymes, liver inflammation, Low blood pressure, infusion-related reaction with nausea, and sweating.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2021