India bans export of anti-viral drug Remdesivir amid worrying Covid-19 situation

New Delhi, Apr 11: Amid reports of vaccine shortage, the central government on Sunday prohibited the export of Remdesivir injection and Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) till the COVID-19 situation improves in the country.

"All domestic manufactures of Remdesivir advised to display on their website, details of their stockists, distributors to facilitate access to the drug. Drugs inspectors and other officers directed to verify stocks and also take measures to curb hoarding and black marketing," the government said in a statement.

"There is a potential of a further increase in demand for Remdesivir injection in the coming days. Department of Pharmaceuticals has been in contact with domestic manufacturers to ramp up the production of Remdesivir," it added.

"India is witnessing a recent surge in Covid cases. As on April 11, 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 treatment of Covid patients. There is a potential of further increase in this demand in the coming days," it further said.

Remdesivir is considered a key medicine in the fight against COVID-19, especially in adult patients with severe complications.