Govt taking all steps to accelerate remdesivir production: Union minister

The minister also mentioned that a total of 6.69 lakh vials of the drug have been made available to different states and union territories during the last five days.

The government is taking all steps to accelerate the production of remdesivir injections, which are used in treatment of Covid-19, and ensure its availability in the country, Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said on Friday.

The government is taking all steps to accelerate the production of remdesivir injections (MINT_PRINT)

The minister also mentioned that a total of 6.69 lakh vials of the drug have been made available to different states and union territories during the last five days. "Government is taking every necessary step to accelerate the production facilities of #Remdesivir, it's capacity enhancement & availability", Gowda said in a tweet. In another tweet Gowda said: "On Govt's intervention, major Manufacturers of #Remdesivir have voluntarily reduced its MRP ranging from ₹5,400 to less than ₹3,500 by 15.04.2021.This will support PM @narendramodi's efforts to fight #COVID19". Meanwhile, a state minister of Maharashtra on Friday flagged that the state will face a shortage of 12,000 to 15,000 remdesivir injections.

Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Rajendra Shingane said, "Companies that produce Remdesivir injection have increased their production but it will take some time for the vials to hit the market. If we consider a 10-12 per cent shortage, Maharashtra will continue to face a shortage of 12,000 to 15,000 remdesivir vials for the next two to three days.”