Centre enhances allocation of Remdesivir to Nagaland, NE States

May 17, 2021 25 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 17

The Centre has considerably enhanced the allocation of antiviral drug Remdesivir vials to the North East States including Nagaland, according to an official release by the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers (MoC&F) on May 16.

As per the new data, the total allocation of Remdesivir to the region was enhanced from a total of 45,000 upto May 16 to 94,000 upto May 23. (See Table)

The Morung Express last week (May 8) reported that the combined allocation of Remdesivir to 7 NE states excluding Assam was less than the single share all other states in India.

However, the enhanced combine allocation to 7 NE states at 34,000 is just over half of what is allocated to Assam at 60,000.
The lowest allocation to others states other than NE states were Himachal Pradesh (47,000) and Goa (49,000).

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Remdesivir is “an investigational therapy drug given in acute and severe versions of COVID-19 where oxygen support is a must.”

While it is not clear on what basis the States/Union Territories’ (UTs) shares are determined, the MoHFW’s release on April 21 indicated that it is allocated to those locations where “where the high volume of supplies are being observed.”

Control Room set up by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) shall be responsible for monitoring the operations as per the allocations, it added.

Meanwhile, the MoC&F release informed that Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda on Sunday announced the allocation of Remdesivir made up to May 23 “considering the requirement of Remdesivir in every state and ensuring its adequate availability.”

Substantial increase has been made in the overall production and allocation of Remdesivir, Gowda was quoted as saying.
Allocation altered as per the changing needs across the country, the release indicated.

In a letter written to all States by Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) and MoHFW, it was mentioned that in continuation of the allocation plan of Remdesivir drug for the period April 21-May 16, an updated allocation plan valid for period of April 21 to May 23, is prepared jointly by DoP and MOHFW, it added.

The State Governments and UTs have been asked to monitor proper distribution within their jurisdiction covering government and private hospitals as appropriate and in line with judicious use, the release said. They were further advised to place adequate purchase orders with the marketing companies immediately, if they have not already done so, for the quantity that they want to purchase out of allocation, it added.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/centre-enhances-allocation-of-remdesivir-to-nagaland-ne-states