Remdesivir Allocation is Controlled by Government

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Country has enough vials of Remdesivir; production is ramped up from 33,000 vials/day on 11th April 2021 to ~3,50,000 vials/day, as stated by Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Honorable Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.

I am delighted and satisfied to inform you all that the Production of Remdesivir is ramped up ten times from
just ~33,000 vials/day on 11th April 2021 to ~3,50,000 vials/day today under the astute leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/Vy2RzrsYMQ
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) May 29, 2021

Government has decided –

To discontinue the Central Allocation of Remdesivir to States
To continuously monitor the availability of Remdesivir in the country with the help of National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Agency and CDSCO
To procure 50 lakh vials of Remdesivir to maintain it as a strategic stock for the emergency requirement.

Points to Learn More

Remdesivir is first thing to know for more information. This is one of the approved drug for Covid care by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) . Virus do replication inside the body & in order to prevent the patient from severe complications, we need to terminate the replication.

Remdesivir simply inhibits viral replication through premature termination of RNA transcription. Indeed timing of taking and prescribing Remdesivir is crucial. There are no concrete studies telling Remdesivir is beneficial in the treatment of COVID-19, as stated by Dr. Guleria of AIIMS.

Retail price of Remdesivir is expected to be 3000 INR but it was sold >30000 INR per vial in the country. Indeed widely criticized by eminent doctors for its usage, Remdesivir was considered as ambrosia by people in the country.

CDSCO is the second thing to know. It stands for Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. It works under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

CDSCO is responsible for approval of Drugs, Conduct of Clinical Trials, laying down the standards for Drugs, control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country and coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organizations.

NPPA is the third thing to know. It stands for National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Agency. It worked under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.

It was constituted as an independent Regulator for pricing of drugs and to ensure availability and accessibility of medicines at affordable prices.