Shortage in supply triggers scramble for Remdesivir in Delhi

New Delhi: Ever since the Health Ministry allowed emergency use for treating coronavirus cases, the Remdesivir medicine has been in demand. But a scramble like situation developed on Wednesday in Delhi as its shortage prompted the affected patients to source it from other cities. They were even found to be buying the medicine at exorbitant prices.

As per doctors, the situation prevailed due to increase in demand and shortage in supply. The medicine has been in great demand all across the country. The situation exacerbated with the constant increase in the number of coronavirus cases across the country.

Six doses of Remdesivir medicine are prescribed to the patients. The doses are given through injection. Gilead Sciences, which holds the patent of the medicine, was allowed to import the medicine by the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) on June 1.

Since then, three Indian companies have been given permission to manufacture the medicine in India. They are – Hetero, Cipla and Mylan. Other companies like Jubilant and Zydus are waiting to get approval from the regulator.

At present, only Hetero is selling the medicine in Delhi. They have priced the medicine at Rs 5,400 per vial. HT quoted an official of Delhi’s drug control department who said that the generics manufactured by other companies will hit the market in next couple of days and it will remove the shortage in the national capital.

The medicine is only available for institutional use to hospitals which are treating the coronavirus patients. It is not available at the pharmacies.