India Prohibits Export Of Anti-Viral Drug Remdesivir 'Till COVID-19 Situation Improves' - Know Why

“India is witnessing a recent surge in Covid cases. As on April 11, there are 11.08 lakh active Covid cases and they are steadily increasing. This has led to a sudden spike in demand for injection Remdesivir used in treatment of Covid patients. There is a potential of further increase in this demand in the coming days,” the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry said in a statement.

Remdesivir (Representative Image)

New Delhi:  Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, India on Sunday prohibited export of Remdesivir injection and Remdesivir active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) till the pandemic situation in the country improves.

“India is witnessing a recent surge in Covid cases. As on April 11, there are 11.08 lakh active Covid cases and they are steadily increasing. This has led to a sudden spike in demand for injection Remdesivir used in treatment of Covid patients. There is a potential of further increase in this demand in the coming days,” the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry said in a statement.

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“Seven Indian companies are producing Injection Remdesivir under voluntary licensing agreement with M/s. Gilead Sciences, USA. They have an installed capacity of about 38.80 lakh units per month. In light of the above, Government of India has prohibited the exports of Injection Remdesivir and Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) till the situation improves,” the statement added.

In order to ensure easy access of hospital and patients to Remdesivir, the government said all domestic manufactures of Remdesivir have been asked to show on their website the details of their stockists and distributors to facilitate access to the drug.

In addition, the drugs inspectors and other officers have been directed to verify stocks and check their malpractices and also take other effective actions to curb hoarding and black marketing.

“The State Health Secretaries will review this with the Drug Inspectors of the respective States/UTs,” the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry said, adding the Department of Pharmaceuticals has been in contact with the domestic manufacturers to ramp up the production of Remdesivir.

The government has also advised the states that the extant “National Clinical Management Protocol for COVID-19”, which is based on evidence, has been developed after many interactions by Committee of Experts and is the guiding document for treatment of Covid-19 patients. 

“In the Protocol, Remdesivir is listed as an Investigational Therapy, i.e. where informed and shared decision making is essential, besides taking note of contra indications mentioned in the detailed guidelines,” the government added.

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The government further said states and UTs have been advised that these steps should again be communicated to all hospitals, both in public and private sector, and compliance monitored.

This comes as several states have reported a surge in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks with many even drawing the Centre’s attention to the shortage of vaccines.

Besides vaccine shortage, the demand for Remdesivir being used to treat coronavirus patients has shot up.

Rajasthan, where the number of active cases has gone beyond 27,000, had given 10,000 Remdesivir injections to Punjab last month. The state’s Health Department is, however, now reportedly left with only 20,000 doses and has sent special requests to medical suppliers to provide Remdesivir doses on urgency.