Centre allocates Remdesivir stocks till April 30; Maharashtra, Gujarat, UP get bulk of doses
The Centre has advised the states to promote judicious use of the anti-viral drug which is listed as investigational therapy. State governments have also been advised to take action against possible hoarding and black marketing of the drug.
Data released by the Centre shows how Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have been allocated the bulk of the Remdesivir doses till April 30.
The increased allocation was necessitated by the growing number of serious Covid-19 patients in hospitals in need of Remdesivir.Â
Remdesivir is given in acute and severe versions of COVID-19, where oxygen support is a must.
The Centre has advised the states to promote the judicious use of the anti-viral drug, listed as investigational therapy. State governments have been told to take strict action against possible hoarding and black marketing of the medication.
To address the surge in demand for Remdesivir injection, the manufacturing capacity of domestic manufacturers is being ramped up from 38 lakh vials per month to 74 lakh vials per month. Besides, 20 additional manufacturing sites have been approved.Â
In a statement, the Centre clarified that the allocation (till April 30) is for 14 states to which medical oxygen is allocated and five other states where a high volume of supplies is observed.
The Centre clarified that it might review the allocation based on the situation as it unfolds in the states. In case any state is unable to utilize its allocation before April 30 fully, the stock would be reallocated to other states as per their requirement.