Cipla, Mylan, others directed to allocate Remdesivir to states, UTs as per Govt supply plan

New Delhi: In continuation of the allocation plan of Remdesivir drug for the period 21st April to 9th May, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has set the company wise supply plan for each state after consulting with the marketing companies and instructed companies to ensure timely supplies to all states/UTs strictly as per the set supply plan.

The companies included in the Government supply plan are Zydus Cadila, Hetero, Mylan, Cipla, Syngene/ Sun, Jubilant, Dr Reddys.

This came, followed by the recent order dated 7th May 2021 providing an updated allocation plan of Remdesivir drug valid for the period 21st April to 16th May, 2021, prepared jointly by the Department of Pharmaceuticals and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Remdesivir, an adenosine analogue nucleotide prodrug, is a promising therapeutic candidate for Covid-19 which acts by interacting with the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and prevents viral replication by terminating RNA transcription prematurely. With the second wave of Covid, there is a sharp increase in the demand for Remdesivir.

The previous order dated 7th May, 2021 included

(i) The allotment is being made for the States/UTs, and it is the State Governments and UTs that have to monitor proper distribution within the State/UT, covering government and private hospitals as appropriate and in line with judicious use.

(ii) State Governments/UTs are 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 the allocation for the State/UT as per supply plan in close coordination with the liaison officers of the companies. Coordination with state-owned private distribution channels is also an option.

(iii) Nodal officers of the State Governments have to coordinate and follow up with the marketing companies to get delivery of Remdesivir injection in time as per the daily requirements.

In connection with this, as per the ANI report, on May 7, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers DV Sadananda Gowda informed that allocation of Remdesivir vials to the states has been made up to May 16 in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Considering the requirement of Remdesivir in every state and ensuring its adequate availability, allocation of Remdesivir has been made up to 16th May 2021," Gowda had tweeted.

"This will ensure smooth supply of Remdesivir across the country so that no patient faces difficulty in this pandemic time," he had added.

Gowda had shared an official notification with a list which stated 5,30,0000 vials of Remdesivir have been allocated to the states between April 21 and up to May 16.

In view of the above, the recently issued order stated,

"Please take reference to our DO of even number dated 7t h May, 2021 vide which the allocation plan of Remdesivir drug valid for the period 21s t April to 16t h May, 2021 was issued earlier today. The company-wise supply plan for each state has been prepared in consultation with the marketing companies. The supply plan is attached herewith. The companies have been instructed to ensure timely supplies to all States/UTs strictly as per the supply plan."

As per the order, the supply plan is attached herewith:

                                       Company wise supply plan of Remdesivir vials for period 21s t April to 16t h May, 2021

Also Read: Monitor Supply Of Drugs Under COVID Treatment Protocol Including Remdesivir, Toclizomab: MHA To States, UTs