Due to the spike in COVID19 cases, demand for Injection Remdesivir used in the treatment of COVID patients has also increased. In order to fulfill the demand, the Government of India has prohibited the export of Injection Remdesivir and Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) till the situation improves. There are seven Indian companies that are producing Injection Remdesivir under a voluntary licensing agreement with M/s. Gilead Sciences, USA.

To ensure easy access Remdesivir to patients, Government of India has taken the following steps:

1. All domestic manufactures of Remdesivir have been advised to display on their website, details of their stockists/distributors to facilitate access to the drug.
2. Drug inspectors and other officers have been directed to verify stocks and check their malpractices and also take other effective actions to curb hoarding and black marketing. The State Health Secretaries will review this with the Drug Inspectors of the respective States/UTs.
3. The Department of Pharmaceuticals has been in contact with domestic manufacturers to ramp up the production of Remdesivir.

The States and UTs have been advised that these steps should again be communicated to all hospitals, both in the public and private sector, and compliance monitored.