In the wake of the increasing threat of Covid, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday held a review meeting with all the big pharma companies in the country. He asked the companies to ensure that medicines are available aplenty over the next few months. According to experts, January-February would be crucial as they are expecting an increase in Covid cases, due to the Omicron sub-variant BF.7.
News agency ANI quoted the Ministry of Health as saying that Mansukh Mandaviya advised the companies to closely monitor the Covid situation around the world and prepare the stock of their essential medicines accordingly. In any case, it should be ensured that there is no shortage of medicines and sufficient stocks should be available, he told the firms.
In the meeting, the Union Health Minister discussed with the pharma companies the stock of medicines used for Covid management and treatment and discussed some guidelines. Mandaviya asked the pharma companies to keep a close watch on the global supply chain scenario. They were also asked to track the production and availability of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients as well as the manufacturing of drugs required for Covid management. Apart from this, Mandaviya told the companies to ensure adequate stock and availability of all medicines, including Covid medicines, in the supply chain till the retail level.
The Union Health Minister was informed about the changing global scenario through a presentation. At the same time, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya praised and congratulated the pharma companies for their invaluable contribution during Covid in the country. Apart from the Union Health Minister, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Pharma Secretary S Aparna, NPPA President Kamlesh Pant, Drug Controller General of India VG Somani and representatives of pharmaceutical companies were present at the review meeting.
The Health Minister held several review meetings over the last few days, in which the higher officials of the Ministry of Health and the members of the Covid Experts' Committee were involved. Various guidelines have also made to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. These include rules like making RT-PCR test mandatory for passengers coming from affected countries and testing at the airport. So far, more than 40 foreign travellers have been found to be Covid positive.