Amritsar Remdesivir exporter seeks nod for local sale

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 27

To overcome the shortage and bring down the price of Remdesivir, Amritsar-based Kwality Pharmaceuticals has approached the Union Government, seeking nod for the sale of this anti-viral drug in the domestic market.

Only seven Indian companies have the rights to produce and sell Remdesivir injection locally under agreement with US-based Gilead Sciences. Kwality Pharmaceuticals is among other firms that can only manufacture and export the drug.

It has a capacity to produce 50,000 doses a day. The firm has sought temporary exemption from patent laws from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.

Ramesh Arora, MD, Kwality Pharmaceuticals, said, “Though the Centre has put curbs on Remdesivir export, norms must be relaxed so that we can sell the drug locally to overcome its shortage. The injection can be made available for just Rs 1,500.”

Punjab Pharmaceutical Association head Surinder Duggal said, “Remdesivir is the much sought-after drug for its use in treatment of critical Covid patients. Just around 80 doses are being supplied in the city daily.”

A ministry source said Kwality Pharmaceuticals had been importing Remdesivir raw material for manufacturing the drug for its further export. “Its export has been banned. The firm is now asking to import raw material for domestic use and seeking permission to manufacture the injection for domestic supply.” The drug controller did not immediately respond to the queries.

Meanwhile, US drug firm Gilead Sciences, which patented Remdesivir today, said it was working to expand the availability of the injection in India and would donate at least 4.5 lakh vials to the government amid Covid surge.