India bans export of antiviral drug Remdesivir amid steep rise in Covid-19 cases

“India is witnessing a recent surge in COVID cases. As on 11.04.2021, there are 11.08 lakh active COVID cases and they are steadily increasing. This has led to a sudden spike in demand for Injection Remdesivir used in the treatment of COVID patients. There is a potential of a further increase in this demand in the coming days,” the government said in an order.

The order stated that  seven Indian companies are producing Remdesivir injection under a voluntary licensing agreement with US company Gilead Sciences. They have an installed capacity of about 38.80 lakh units per month.

"In light of the above, the Government of India has prohibited the exports of Injection Remdesivir and Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) till the situation improves,"  the statement said.

All domestic manufactures of Remdesivir have been advised to display on their website, details of their stockists/distributors to facilitate access to the drug, the statement said.

Drugs inspectors and other officers have been directed to verify stocks and check their malpractices and also take other effective actions to curb hoarding and black marketing, the statement said.

"The State Health Secretaries will review this with the Drug Inspectors of the respective States/UTs. The Department of Pharmaceuticals has been in contact with the domestic manufacturers to ramp up the production of Remdesivir," the statement added.

India on Sunday recorded 152,879 new cases of Covid-19, the highest ever suge in the daily tally. The country also recorded 839 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 169,275.