The US which has recorded more than 2.5 million cases of the coronavirus has allegedly bought all the stocks of Remdesivir, which has proven to work against the novel coronavirus. This has practically left no stock for the UK, Europe or the rest of the world.
Remdesivir happens to be an antiviral drug which works by copying the genetic make-up of the coronavirus, the RNA and slows down replication. Lab trials by scientists have shown that the drug has also been successful in fighting against Ebola in the past
According to sources, experts and campaigners have been alarmed by the unilateral action taken by the US in obtaining the drug Remdesivir. Remdesivir happened to be the first drug approved by licensing authorities in the US to treat the patients suffering from COVID-19. The first 140,000 doses, supplied to drug trials across the globe, have been used up. The US government has now bought more than 500,000 doses, which is all of Gilead’s production for July and 90 per cent of August and September.
In India, Cipla, a Mumbai-based pharmaceutical has launched the drug Remdesivir under the brand name Cipremi. Cipla plans on marketing and supplying the drug through both government and open market channels. Cipla has further stated that it plans to commercialize Remdesivir through its own facilities and partnered sites.
The ICMR had earlier approved the use of Remdesivir under Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) treatment for patients with severe COVID-19 infection. The drug has been incorporated in the Ministry of Health's revised 'Clinical Management Protocols for COVID-19' as an "investigational therapy". The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has authorized approval for the drug for restricted urgent use across the country as part of the fastened approval process considering the urgent and unfulfilled medical need.
Meanwhile, hospitals in Mumbai have already started administering Tocilizumab in order to treat COVID-19 patients.
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