Publish efficacy, ensure availability of COVID drug Remdesivir through Govt hospitals: IPA writes to DCGI
New Delhi: Condemning the rampant black marketing of Remdesivir, the Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA) has recently written to the Union Health Minister, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) asking to ensure the availability of the key antiviral drug through government hospitals as a priority irrespective of whether the patient is admitted in government or private hospital.
The letter was moved in the wake of evident black marketing of Remdesivir injection at its peak in almost every district across India.
The Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA), in its letter, said, "Indian Pharmacist Association strongly condemn such unethical practice by some of the miscreants. Being the guardian of Drugs, only Pharmacist in Hospital and Community must be entrusted to handle all medicines at all different levels."
Taking note of the same, the umbrella body of pharmacists, put forward a series of demands including;
1. If Injection Remdesivir is recommended or effective against COVID-19, the efficacy of the drug must be published.
2. Government must ensure its availability to Covid patients through the government hospitals as a priority irrespective of whether the patient is admitted in Govt or Pvt hospital.
3. All the state drugs control departments must be made more sensitized and accountable for their proper distribution.
4. If by anyway, Inj. Remdesivir is effective against COVID-19, an emergency license may be issued for the manufacturer for its large-scale production to meet the demand-supply backlog.
3. If, the Inj. Remdesivir is not effective against COVID-19, then advisory in that regard may also be issued, so that the panic about its procurement / black-marketing could be curtailed.
In addition, the Indian Pharmacist Association has suggested to the government that drugs of all types, which are very important and play a critical role during this pandemic, be stored and dispensed only by qualified pharmacists at all health infrastructure.
Adding that pharmacists are always ready to serve the nation at a call, IPA, subsequently, suggested issuing an advisory to all the states incorporating IPA's concern in this regard.
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