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.

 In a tweet shared by PM Modi after vaccination, he mentioned “Took my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS. Remarkable how our doctors and scientists have worked in quick time to strengthen the global fight against COVID-19. I appeal to all those who are eligible to take the vaccine. Together, let us make India COVID-19 free!

Starting today, the second phase of vaccination in which people over 60 years of age are getting vaccinated. Prime Minister Modi is 70 years old and is now eligible to be vaccinated. Until earlier, health workers and frontline works were vaccinated. When the vaccination campaign started in India last month, opposition parties questioned why the PM himself is not getting the vaccine. Modi waited for his turn and then got vaccinated. PM Modi has given the shot of Covaxin made by Bharat Biotech.

The first round of the biggest vaccination drive in the world was started in India, on January 16.

He praised Narendra Modi for providing the Covid19 vaccine to more than 60 countries. He Tweeted, Thanks to India Prime Minister @narendramodi for supporting #VaccinEquity. Your commitment to #COVAX and sharing #COVID19 vaccine doses is helping 60+ countries start vaccinating their #healthworkers and other priority groups. I hope other countries will follow your example.

This is not the first time, that WHO Director has praised the Indian efforts in fighting the COVID 19. Earlier, also he wrote on Twitter, Thank you for your commitment to solidarity, India Prime Minister @narendramodi. Only together, by mobilizing our forces and resources jointly for the common good, can we end the #COVID19 pandemic. #UNGA  @PMOIndia@CDMissionIndia@IndiaUNNewYork.

Under the ‘Vaccine Maitri’ scheme, India supplies Covid-19 vaccines to different countries, including neighboring countries. Oxford University-Covishield from AstraZeneca and Covaxin from Bharat Biotech International Limited was granted emergency use authorization (EUA) in India. On January 16, the world’s biggest drive against the pandemic began in the country, with the second stage scheduled to start from March 1.