India banned the export of remdesivir as infections soared to a new daily high and hospitals grappled with increasing demand for the coronavirus treatment drug.
The vast nation has experienced a sharp rise in cases in recent weeks, adding 152,000 new cases on Sunday to take the toll to 13.3 million infections. The health ministry said the surge in cases has led to a “sudden spike in demand” for the antiviral drug.
“There is a potential of further increase in this demand in the coming days,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that the export ban would be in place “till the situation improves”.
Remdesivir, made by US pharma giant Gilead, was one of the first drugs to show relative promise in shortening the recovery time for some COVID-19 patients.
But a World Health Organisation-backed study has said that the drug had “little or no effect” on COVID-19 mortality.
Gilead last year signed licensing agreements with generic pharmaceutical producers based in India, Pakistan and Egypt, allowing them to manufacture remdesivir for distribution in 127 mostly low and lower-middle-income nations.
Seven firms in India — the world’s biggest producer of generic drugs — are licensed to manufacture remdesivir. They have a monthly production capacity of up to 3.88 million injection doses, the ministry added.
The ban came as India’s wealthiest state Maharashtra, which has been the main driver of the infection spike, explored announcing a complete lockdown from as early as Monday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a four-day “vaccine festival” to kick start a “second battle against corona” in a bid to speed up a sluggish vaccination rollout.
In other news – Dr Sindi Van Zyl’s family to launch a foundation in her honour
The family of much-loved former Kaya FM presenter, medical doctor and life coach Dr Sindisiwe van Zyl have announced that a foundation will be created in her honour.
Dr Sindi, 45, was diagnosed with Covid-19 at the beginning of the year and was admitted to the hospital in February. She died in hospital on Saturday, her family said in a statement. Learn more
Source: eNCA
