Baddi pharma unit to make Remdesivir

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, April 13

Baddi-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has been granted approval by the Drug Controller today to manufacture Remdesivir, which is an approved drug by the Drug Controller General of India for restricted emergency use in India. It is used for treatment of Covid-19 patients hospitalised with severe symptoms.

The Centre recently banned its export following its shortage in hospitals and spike in Covid cases. Navneet Marwaha, Drug Controller, Baddi, said, “The company has been given approval to produce Remdesivir for domestic use and this is the fourth such unit in the state to make this drug for use in India.”

Cipla and Hetero Labs in Baddi were the first units that secured a nod to get this drug manufactured in HP. Paonta-based Nitin Lifesciences has been manufacturing it since 2020 for both pharma companies. Apart from this, Jubilant Pharma in Nalagarh was also manufacturing it.

Marwaha said Remdesvir made in HP was being supplied pan-India and manufacturers had ramped up their capacities vis-à-vis its growing need in the pandemic.