Remdesivir export stopped! Centre haults export until situations improve in country
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New Delhi, Apr 12: The Govt of India has decided to prohibit the exports of Injection Remdesivir and Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) until the prevailing COVID 19 situation improves in the country. The States and UTs have been advised that the steps prescribed in the 'National Clinical Management Protocol for COVID 19', should again be communicated to all hospitals, both in public and private sector, and compliance monitored.
India is witnessing a recent surge in COVID cases. According to the records until Apr 11, there were 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. Seven Indian companies are producing Injection Remdesivir with n installed capacity of about 38.80 lakh units per month.
Due to such prevailing conditions, Centre ahs decided to prohibit the export of Injection Remdesivir and Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) until the prevailing COVID 19 situation improves in the country. Besides, the govt has taken certain decisions in favor of the people as well for their easy access of Remdesivir.
According to the govt's recent release, all domestic manufactures of Remdesivir have been advised to display on their website, details of their stockists and distributors to facilitate access to the drug. 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 and UTs.
In order to ramp up the production of Remdesivir, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has been in contact with the domestic manufacturers. Centre 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; where informed and shared decision making is essential, besides taking note of contra indications mentioned in the detailed guidelines. Centre has directed states and UTs to strictly abide by the protocol and reaffirm with fresh communications with public and private sector hospitals.