India to import 4,50,000 vials of Remdesivir
First Consignment of 75000 vials to reach today
New Delhi, April 30, 2021: To ease the shortage of Remdesivir, the Government of India has started importing it from other countries. The first Consignment of 75000 vials will reach India today.
HLL Lifecare Ltd, a Government of India owned company has ordered 4,50,000 vials of Remdesivir from M/s Gilead Sciences Inc USA. and Egyptian Pharma Company, M/s Eva Pharma.
As on April 27, 2021 the production capacity of the seven licensed domestic manufacturers increased from 38 lakh vials per month to 1.03 crore vials per month. Total 13.73 lakh vials have been supplied across the country by the Drug companies in the last seven days (21-28 April, 2021).
Gilead Sciences Inc. USA is likely to dispatch 75,000 to 1,00,00 vials in the next one or two days. One hundred thousand quantities will also be supplied by May 15. EVA pharma will supply approximately 10,000 vials initially followed by 50,000 vials every 15 days till July.
Government has ramped up the production capacity of Remdesivir in the country.
As on April 27, 2021 the production capacity of the seven licensed domestic manufacturers increased from 38 lakh vials per month to 1.03 crore vials per month. Total 13.73 lakh vials have been supplied across the country by the Drug companies in the last seven days (21-28 April, 2021). The daily supply has gone up from 67,900 vials on April 11 to 2.09 lakh vials on April 28. An advisory was issued by MHA to states and UTs to facilitate smooth movement of Remdesivir supplies.
Government also prohibited the export of Remdesivir to enhance its availability in India. To ensure affordability of the injection among the masses, NPPA on April 17, 2021 released the revised maximum retail price thus bringing down the cost of all the major brands to below Rs 3500 per vial.
In order to facilitate higher production and availability of Remdesivir, the Department of Revenue vide Notification 27/2021-Customs dated April 20 exempted the whole of the duty of Customs on Remdesivir injection, its API and Beta cyclodextrin used in manufacture of Remdesivir, till Oct 31, 2021.
National Treatment Protocol was updated through the Clinical guidance for Management of Adult COVID 19 patients by AIIMS/ ICMR- COVID-19 National Task Force/ Joint Monitoring group of MoHFW on April 22, 2021. The updated protocol will encourage Judicious use of Drugs and is expected to contribute to rationalising demand.
