Centre bans export of Remdesivir amid surge in cases

India had banned the export of anti-viral drug Remdesivir and its active pharmaceutical ingredients after upsurge in Covid-19 cases, reported ANI.

"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 health ministry said in a statement.

States like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh have written to the government regarding the same as India's daily COVID-19 cases continue to peak over one lakh daily.

"There is a potential of a further increase in demand for Remdesivir injection in the coming days,' the Centre says.

Remdesivir is considered a key anti-viral drug in the fight against COVID-19, especially in adult patients with severe complications.

Remdesivir has been proven to be effective against the coronavirus in human trials. It has been developed by American biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences.

South Korea, Japan and the United States have also approved the drug for emergency use. The drug is, however, not recommended for people with renal defects, pregnant and lactating women and children below the age of 12.

In India, Gujarat based-firm Zydus Cadila had signed an agreement with Gilead Sciences to produce and sell Remdesivir. The firm had launched its version of the medicine in August, at Rs 2,800 for a 100 gram vial. Apart from Zydus Cadila, Hetero Labs, Cipla, Mylan NV and Jubilant Life Sciences also produce the drug in India.

Being worst hit by COVID-19, Maharashtra is facing an acute shortage of Remdesivir vials. To counter black-marketing, Maharashtra's health services commissioner Ramaswami N requested that all district collectors in the state set up control rooms to streamline the supply of Remdesivir.

Meanwhile, Union minister Nitin Gadkari has called up Sun Pharma's CEO to arrange for 10,000 injections in the city. The state has already set a price limit of Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,400 per vial for Remdesivir and cautioned against hoarding and black marketing.