New Delhi: In view of increased demand for remdesivir due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, the Centre on Sunday said the export of the antiviral injection and its Active Pharmaceutical Active Ingredients (API) has actually been banned till the situation improves.In addition, to make sure easy access of the drug, which is utilized in treatment of coronavirus, to medical facilities and clients, all domestic producers of remdesivir have been advised to display on their website information of their stockists and distributors, the Union Health Ministry stated.
Drugs inspectors and other officers have actually been directed to confirm stocks, inspect malpractices and likewise take other effective actions to suppress hoarding and black marketing.
State health secretaries will examine this along with drug inspectors of the particular states and UTs, it said.
India is experiencing a current rise in COVID cases.
As on April 11, there are 11.08 lakh active cases and they are progressively increasing.
This has actually resulted in an abrupt spike in demand for remdesivir injection utilized in treatment of COVID patients, the ministry said.
There is a capacity for further increase in this need in the coming days, it stated.Seven Indian business are producing the injection under voluntary licensing arrangement with M/s.
Gilead Sciences, United States A..
They have an installed capacity of about 38.80 lakh units per month, the ministry said.
In light of the above, Government of India has actually restricted the exports of remdesivir injection and remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Active ingredients (API) till the situation enhances, it said.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals has actually touched with the domestic makers to increase the drug's production, it added.
Government of India has actually also advised states that the extant 'National Clinical Management Procedure for COVID-19', which is based upon evidence, has been developed after numerous interactions by committee of experts and it is the directing file for treatment of COVID-19 patients.
In the protocol, remdesivir is noted as an investigational treatment, i.e.
where informed and shared choice making is essential, besides keeping in mind of contraindications pointed out in the detailed guidelines, the ministry said.States and UTs have actually been recommended that these actions should once again be communicated to all medical facilities, both in public and private sector, and compliance monitored, it included.