DCGI orders state govts to prevent black-marketing & overpricing of COVID-19 drugs

Anti-viral drug Remdesivir prescribed for Covid-19 patients are in short supply with chemists and distributors in the city, according to doctors and patients.

In the wake of Remdesivir’s shortage, many have slammed the Maharashtra government and the BMC, saying their claims aren’t helping Covid patients in need of the anti-viral drug.

There is a huge gap between the demand and supply of the anti-viral drug Remedesivir, which is used to treat critically ill coronavirus patients.

The actual price of the drug is around is Rs 5,400 and in the black market it is being sold at Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000.

DCGI Dr V G Somani has also directed state governments to instruct drug inspectors to ensure that there is no black marketing of drugs which is being used in treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Considering the "emergency and unmet medical need" for COVID-19 disease, Somani said, the CDSCO has granted permission to companies to manufacture and market Remdesivir injectable formulation for restricted emergency use for the treatment of patients with severe infection

Cipla has priced the drug at Rs 4,000 per 100 mg vial, while Hetero has priced it at Rs 5,400. Sources added that to the BMC, Hetero is supplying the drug at Rs 4,144 per vial.

BMC officials said that the manufacturing of the anti-viral drug is a complex process and hence the production is taking some time.