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<ul><li>A single vial of Remdesivir is being sold for ₹30,000 on the black market in India. This is ten times the retail price.</li><li>Even if you’re willing to cough up the exorbitant amount, there’s still a chance that someone with deeper pockets could outbid you.</li><li>The circulation of Remdesivir in the black market extends right from the distributor to doctors in smaller private hospitals.</li></ul>The black market for drugs that could treat COVID-19 is surging in India, especially when it comes to Remdesivir. A single vial is going for up to ₹30,000. So, if a critical patient needs six vials for treatment, which is the norm, they would have to shell out ₹1,80,000 in order to procure the required dosage. That’s more than ten times the price on the regulated market. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Name of the company </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Brand name for Remdesivir </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Maximum retail price (MRP) </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cadila Healthcare </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">REMDAC </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹899 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Syngene International </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">RemWin </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹2,450 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Dr Reddy’s Laboratories </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">REDYX </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹2,700 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cipla </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">CIPREMI </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹3,000 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Mylan Pharmaceuticals </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">DESREM </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹3,400 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Jubilant Generics </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">JUBI-R </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹3,400 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Hetero Healthcare </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">COVIFOR </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹3,490 </td></tr></tbody></table> Remdesivir is not proven to help in recovery from the Coronavirus, but it is one of the few treatment methods that has been approved by the Indian government. "There are very few drugs which have been authorised by the government. Remdesivir is one of them, even though there is no certainty that this will work or not," a doctor at a government hospital in India told Business Insider. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="You maybe ready to pay a higher price — but you could still be outbid" comment="subhead" text="You maybe ready to pay a higher price — but you could still be outbid">You maybe ready to pay a higher price — but you could still be outbid</cmsannotation> Hansa’s (named changed to protect identity) uncle is in Delhi, in a critical condition, and the doctors have prescribed Remdesivir in hopes of treatment. The only problem is that no licensed pharmacy in Delhi seems to have it in stock. “We were supposed to get six vials in the morning for ₹35,000 through a doctor contact. Turns out somebody was ready to pay ₹50,000 for them and the vials went to them,” she told Business Insider India. “Another doctor told us that procured six vials for ₹80,000 for another patient.” And these prices are just the lower end of the stick. Aakash (named changed) told Business Insider he can procure a single vial for ₹30,000. In the bargaining process, he did highlight that vials are also available for ₹15,000 to ₹26,000 apiece, but not in Delhi. Anyone who wanted Remdesivir at those prices would have to procure it from outside the city. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="How to buy Remdesivir on the black market?" comment="subhead" text="How to buy Remdesivir on the black market?">How to buy Remdesivir on the black market?</cmsannotation> Just like with other deals on the black market, what matters is who you know. The right connections and the right amount of trust can open a lot of doors. For the common man, the best bet is just to keep in touch with their doctors. Doctors know everyone down the supply chain and can help a patient, who is truly in need, get in touch with a supplier who may possibly have Remdesivir. Someone who doesn’t have a well-connected doctor is likely to reach out within his friend’s group. And, eventually, someone will know someone, who may be able to get them in touch with a supplier. But trust has a greater role to play here. “The first question he asked me was, who needs it? I told him it was for someone special, who can be trusted. He only agreed to let me have the vials if I could vouch for my friend,” Aakash told Business Insider. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The private hospital game" comment="subhead" text="The private hospital game">The private hospital game</cmsannotation> Sources who have bought Remdesivir by getting in touch with their doctors insist that doctors are not taking a commission. But distributors on the other end of the supply chain have a different story to tell. According to workers at distribution companies, doctors at government hospitals are prepared to treat patients even with alternative medicines available in the market — like steroids, which have proven to be effective in patients with moderate and severe symptoms. But, when it comes to private hospitals, especially smaller ones in semi-urban cities, healthcare workers are paid such meagre salaries. According to sources, selling medicines on the side or making medicines disappear overnight so that the patient is forced to buy more, is the norm. “When you know there are alternatives available in the market, then why aren’t doctors recommending that patients go for them. Why are they insisting on Remdesivir?” an employee at the distribution company told Business Insider. “In most cases, especially in smaller cities, the doctors are involved.” According to him, all the doctor has to say is that Remdesivir is a superior option to other medication, and the patient or his loved one is obviously going to try and get the ‘best’ option in a situation of crisis. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The black market supply chain" comment="subhead" text="The black market supply chain">The black market supply chain</cmsannotation> All doses of Remdesivir, no matter what brand, are going to come from the big seven pharmaceutical giants in India currently manufacturing the vials. These pharmaceutical companies send the medicine to the distributors, who are in turn supposed to dole out the doses to licensed pharmacies. But that’s where things get a little murky. Distributors do give a certain portion of the shipment to pharmacies because they need those records on their books, but the rest of the stock is given to people who are in his known circle. So, when someone comes looking for Remdesivir, the distributor directs them to one of the people within his circle who may have hoarded some of the doses. And, going to a third party, who is not a license holder, makes it a black market deal. 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Inside the treacherous black market for Remdesivir in India— from private hospitals to distributors

<ul><li>Doctors are prescribing Remdesivir despite its uncertain impact but patients and kin are willing to try anything which gives them a ray of hope. </li><li>The demand has gone through the roof and manufacturers are struggling to keep up. </li><li>Bad folks are using the time to take advantage of the truly desperate as more patients queue up and the vicious cycle perpetuates.</li></ul>Remdesivir is not a proven treatment against COVID-19. Governments have said it, the courts have said it. Even the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said and reiterated this fact. Yet, in India, people are rushing to the pharmacies and hospitals with prescriptions for the drug leading to a crunch in its supply. “People are buying Remdesivir because that’s what the doctors are prescribing,” Pragati Medical, a pharmacy in Hyderabad, told Business Insider. As COVID-19 claims more victims in its second surge, Remdesivir⁠ — currently a drug of last resort against the novel coronavirus⁠ — has become a hot property with its own black market where it could cost, sometimes, up to five times the price. Even Twitter is awash with people requesting vials of the drug to treat their loved ones currently in intensive care units (ICUs). Communication along the supply chain, from the manufacturers to the end consumer, has a lot left to desire and is adding to the chaos. <div type="twitter" handle="sanashakil_TNIE" handlename="Sana Shakil" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1369245158613549058/4U8pQwyz_normal.jpg" favoritecount="4958" retweetcount="4686" status="This is a call for help. Urgently need #Remdesivir for my mother who's covid +ive and a chronic patient with Kartag… https://t.co/RwYsWYHxXl" createdat="1618398198000" id="1382288347356274688"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="sh27ank" handlename="Shashank" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1381201120517758979/25uGd8a2_normal.jpg" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="@tuhins @sukanyaiyer2 @OfficeofUT @Krunal_Goda Please help, I need the #Remdesivir injection urgently. My father is… https://t.co/2ZQ4GtmPqe" createdat="1618470118000" id="1382590003465768962"></div> The Indian government has been unable to include the <keyword id="9578500" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="remdesivir-injection">Remdesivir injection</keyword> under the Drug Control Act because it has not completed its clinical trials to establish its efficacy in treating COVID-19. Yet, doctors are prescribing it indiscriminately. “You should advise doctors not to prescribe the drug unless it is required,” said the <a href="https://twitter.com/barandbench/status/1382577986466029568">Gujarat High Court</a> on April 15, during a hearing about the surge in COVID-19 cases across the state. According to the court, the state needs to explain what the drug is, when to use it, where it should be procured, and whom it should be given to. “I don’t know whether it is a life-saving drug. But it has unnecessarily been seen as an Amrit [elixir],” the court said. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Who is creating the hype behind Remdesivir?" comment="subhead" text="Who is creating the hype behind Remdesivir?">Who is creating the hype behind Remdesivir?</cmsannotation> In the <keyword id="6360101" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="gujarat-high-court">Gujarat High Court</keyword> hearing, Justice BN Karia asked the attorney general if the hype behind Remdesivir was being created by the doctors. And that’s a valid question to ask. However, doctors may not have many options in hand for patients desperate to be healthy again. <div type="image" title="remdesivir4_edited" msid="82083871" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In Maharashtra&amp;#39;s Aurangabad, the administration has made it mandatory to conduct COVID RTP-CR tests before providing the Remdesivir injection to any patient&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> “In the absence of any effective documented drug, what is the option left with doctors,” justifies Gulshan Haresh Bakhtiani, the founder of Wellness Forever, a chain of online pharmacy and medical stores. But he does admit that there is a shortage. “Shortage is there not because doctors are prescribing the drug. The shortage is there because manufacturing is not adequate,” said Bakhtiani. <div type="image" title="remdesivir5_edited" msid="82083945" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;People throng to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Surat with prescriptions for free Remdesivir injections on April 10&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> But the supply crunch is expected to ease up in the coming days. There are currently seven manufacturers of Remdesivir in the country — including Zydus Cadila, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Sun Pharma, Viatris, and Cipla, who have all <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/ramping-production-of-remdesivir-to-meet-demand-pharma-firms/article34318614.ece">issued statements</a> to the effect of increasing production in the face of rising COVID-19 cases. “Remdesivir is not in as much short supply as it was four or five days ago. We have a good number of manufacturers in India and around seven days back, all of them increased manufacturing of the drug,” Bakhtiani told Business Insider. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Pharmaceutical companies say they have increased production — but the goods are yet to reach the end of the supply chain" comment="subhead" text="Pharmaceutical companies say they have increased production — but the goods are yet to reach the end of the supply chain">Pharmaceutical companies say they have increased production — but the goods are yet to reach the end of the supply chain</cmsannotation> “Right now Remdesivir is not available anywhere — there’s not even a single injection,” a manager at one of Haryana's medical wholesalers, Allied Medical Agency, told Business Insider. “It's not available in Hisar. It’s not available further inland. I have even spoken to people in Delhi and Chandigarh, there is no supply.” But that isn’t keeping people from offering up empty promises. In the case of Allied Medical Agency, the coordinator got in touch with someone willing to supply vials of Remdesivir for ₹4,800 apiece, almost five times the maximum retail price (MRP) of ₹900. In cross-checking the details before he made any payment, his other contacts informed him that the source is unlikely to have the stock — the source more likely to take the money but will only deliver the goods after a long period of time. <div type="image" title="remdesivir2_edited" msid="82083689" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;These vials of Remdesivir injections were being sold by a duo in Mumbai for &amp;#8377; 20,000 apiece&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The silence at the end of helplines Bigwig medicine manufacturers have also set up helplines to help people ascertain where they can procure COVID-19 drugs. However, when Business Insider called the Cipla helpline — not once but twice — there was nothing but a pre-recorded message that played on a loop for over five minutes, before the call was abruptly ended. <div type="image" title="Screenshot_20210415-160217_edited" msid="82083715" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Message from Cipla&amp;#39;s helpline after the call was abruptly cut &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The company did send an SMS to say that the call had been noted but they were unable to attend because their assistants are busy attending other patients, but no follow up has occurred since then. In the absence of a proven cure, patients would take anything that could possibly save their lives. So, doctors are prescribing Remdesivir despite its uncertain impact. The demand has gone through the roof and manufacturers are not able to keep up with the required pace to meet the demand. Bad folks are using the time to take advantage of the truly desperate. Meanwhile, more patients are queuing up and the vicious cycle perpetuates. 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The utter chaos and confusion over Remdesivir in India is making the COVID-19 second wave worse

<ul><li>Zydus Cadila, on August 13, launched Remdesivir under the brand name Remdac, used to treat patients suffering from severe symptoms of COVID-19. </li><li>Priced at ₹2,800 per 100 mg vial, it is the cheapest <keyword id="9013152" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="remdesivir-drug">Remdesivir drug</keyword> available in India </li><li>Apart from Cipla and Hetero Labs, Jubilant Lifesciences, and Mylan are working to manufacture the drug in India. </li></ul>Zydus Cadila has launched Remdesivir under the brand name Remdac, used to treat patients suffering from severe symptoms of COVID-19, in the Indian market. Remdac is priced at ₹2,800 per 100 mg vial, making it the cheapest version of the drug so far. Zydus Cadila is the fifth company to make this antiviral drug in India. They have said that the drug will be made available across India through the group's strong distribution chain reaching out to government and private hospitals treating COVID-19 patients. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Brand </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Remdesivir Price </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Zydus Cadila </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Remdac </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹2800 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Hetero Labs </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Covifor </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹5000-₹6000 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cipla </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cipremi </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Not disclosed yet </td></tr></tbody></table> In June this year, Zydus had entered into a non-exclusive agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc to manufacture and sell Remdesivir, the investigational drug, which has been issued an emergency use authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to treat patients suffering from severe symptoms of COVID-19. Previously, pharmaceutical giants Cipla and Hetero introduced generic versions Remdesivir — an antiviral drug first used to treat Ebola — to fight coronavirus. India’s Health Ministry approved use of the drug to treat mild cases of coronavirus. However, the drug is not recommended to treat those who have several renal impairment, pregnant and lactating women, children below 12 years age. Hetero said it will make its version of Remdesivir — Covifor — available between ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 for a vial. Whereas, Cipla is yet to decide the cost of Cipremi. Cipla’s Cipremi is available for only those patients who are on oxygen support. Apart from Cipla and Hetero Labs, Jubilant Lifesciences and Mylan are also working to manufacture the drug in India. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Biocon firm Syngene and has also received voluntary permission from Gilead Sciences to produce Remdesivir in India. (With inputs from PTI) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/trump-was-rushed-from-the-briefing-room-by-secret-service-after-a-shooting-outside-of-the-white-house/articleshow/77474005.cms">Trump was rushed from the briefing room by Secret Service after a shooting outside the White House</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/mckinsey-facebook-amazon-nokia-and-some-other-companies-looking-for-a-product-manager-right-now/slidelist/77464438.cms">McKinsey, Facebook, Amazon, Nokia — and some other companies looking for a product manager right now</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/how-karan-bajaj-sold-his-less-than-18-month-old-startup-white-hat-jr-to-byjus/articleshow/77415329.cms">A WhatsApp message, six weeks of talks and a $300 million deal – how Karan Bajaj sold his less than 18-month old startup White Hat Jr to Byju’s</a>

These are the companies that are making Remdesivir in India

New York, Amid news that the US has bought up virtually the entire global supply of <keyword id="8775508" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="remdesivir">remdesivir</keyword>, a new study outlines how the drug could save lives in countries with a lower hospital capacity, such as South Africa, where Covid-19 is beginning to overwhelm intensive care units (ICUs). The study, published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, estimated that remdesivir's ability to shorten ICU stays could increase the number of patients treated in South Africa's ICUs by more than 50 per cent. "There are many countries with limited ICU capacity that could benefit from this double impact on mortality," says study lead author Dr Brooke Nichols, Assistant Professor at <keyword id="9539346" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-boston-university">the Boston University</keyword>. For the remdesivir study, the research team used their South African National Covid-19 Epidemiology model to look at the estimated three to six months when severe cases will exceed the country's 3,450 available ICU beds. If every one of South Africa's ICU patients with Covid-19 received remdesivir, reducing the average ICU stay, the researchers estimated that the number of patients treated in ICUs from June to December would increase from between 23,443 and 32,284 patients to between 36,383 and 47,820. The findings showed that the increased capacity of remdesivir could save as many as 6,862 lives per month as the country's cases peak and the drug could prevent the deaths of as many as 13,647 South Africans by December. The mortality rate for Covid-19 in ICUs varies from country to country and hospital to hospital, so the number of lives saved from increased ICU capacity would also vary, the study said. The research team has been modelling South Africa's Covid epidemic to help the country's government make informed decisions, and previously predicted that the country's ICU capacity could be overwhelmed as early as this month. "The hardest-hit province, the Western Cape, exceeded ICU capacity in June," the study authors informed. Earlier this month, the European Commission had authorised anti-viral drug remdesivir for the treatment against coronavirus, making it the first drug authorised at the European Union level for the treatment of Covid-19.

How remdesivir drug can save lives in nations with lower hospital capacity

<ul><li>Cipla will launch its version of Remdesivir in the next 1-2 days under the brand name 'Cipremi'.</li><li>The drug will be sold at an approximate price of ₹4,000 per vial.</li><li>Remdesivir is considered a key drug in the fight against Covid-19 as a randomised clinical trial conducted with the drug demonstrated faster clinical recovery in hospitalised patients.</li><li>The Union Health Ministry has asked all the states to strengthen their vigil, so that black marketing of Covid-19 drug Remdesivir is prevented.</li></ul>As India faces a shortage of Covid-19 drug Remdesivir, the pharmaceutical company Cipla said it will launch its version of Remdesivir in the next 1-2 days. <a href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/healthcare/exclusive-as-india-faces-shortage-of-remdesivir-cipla-says-its-supplies-will-hit-market-in-next-1-2-days-6281911.htm">In an interview with CNBC TV18</a>, Kedar Upadhyay, Cipla’s CFO said that the Daman-based Sovereign Pharma had released the first batch of the drug from its manufacturing plant and Cipla will be selling it under the brand name 'Cipremi'. While Mumbai-based BDR Pharma holds the contract for manufacturing of Cipla’s Remdesivir, the company has further sub-contracted the manufacturing of the finished dosage and packaging to Daman-based Sovereign Pharma. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="76747405" title="These are the companies manufacturing COVID-19 drug Remdesivir in India" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> "We are attempting to launch Remdesivir in the next 1-2 days. We cannot comment on the volumes just as yet, but there is a huge demand-supply gap in the market," Upadhyay told CNBC TV18. However, <a href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/healthcare/exclusive-as-india-faces-shortage-of-remdesivir-cipla-says-its-supplies-will-hit-market-in-next-1-2-days-6281911.htm">reports</a> say that Sovereign Pharma has the capacity to scale up production to 95,000 vials per month. Sovereign Pharma got all necessary approvals for manufacturing the drug within a week, after an inspection by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. The drug will be sold at an approximate price of ₹4,000 per vial. Upadhyay told CNBC that the company is also preparing to set up a Remdesivir manufacturing facility in-house. Remdesivir is considered a key drug in the fight against Covid-19. The drug’s popularity grew after a randomised clinical trial used the drug on 1,063 patients over 60 centres across US, Europe and Asia and saw faster clinical recovery in hospitalised patients. To expand the supply of Remdesivir, US-based Gilead earlier announced non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements with generic pharmaceutical manufacturers based in India, Egypt and Pakistan. The agreements allow Cipla and other companies including Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd.; Hetero Labs Ltd.; Syngene, a Biocon company; and Zydus Cadila Healthcare Ltd. to manufacture Remdesivir for distribution in 127 countries. Government cracks down on Remdesivir black market The Union Health Ministry has asked all the states to take all measures to ensure that Remdesivir is not sold in the black market. The ministry acted upon it after t<a href="https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/health-ministry-steps-in-to-curb-black-marketing-of-covid-drug/1888995">he Directorate General of Health Services said that it has received </a>a letter from LocalCircles routed through the Health Ministry, raising concerns over black marketing and overpricing of Remdesivir in certain markets. "In view of the above, you are requested to instruct your enforcement officials to keep strict vigil on the matter to prevent black marketing and sale of Remdesivir injection above the MRP," the DGHS said in the letter to the states. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/the-us-bought-up-90-of-the-worlds-supply-of-remdesivir-for-the-next-3-months-and-patents-mean-many-countries-wont-be-able-to-get-any/articleshow/76729248.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">The US bought up 90% of the world's supply of remdesivir for the next 3 months, and patents mean many countries won't be able to get any</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/gilead-rises-after-pricing-its-coronavirus-fighting-drug-remdesivir/articleshow/76692239.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Gilead rises after pricing its coronavirus-fighting drug remdesivir</a>

Cipla says COVID-19 drug Remdesivir will hit market this week

<ul><li>Remdesivir has little or no effect on hospitalised COVID-19 patients, according to a new study by the World Health Organisation (WHO).</li><li>When coronavirus pandemic initially broke, it emerged as one of the most preferred treatments for the disease around the world.</li><li>In July, Gilead released further data suggesting that Remdesivir <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/978b4f8a-62b5-43a0-ad32-dda1930ec47c">may improve chances of survival among COVID-19 patients.</a> However, these findings were not confirmed by a randomised controlled trial until now. </li><li>Even before WHO’s study, a Lancet report <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/remdesivir-the-coronavirus-miracle-drug-may-be-overhyped-suggests-lancet-study/articleshow/75470476.cms">contradicted </a>Gilead’s claims indicating that the drug may not be the most ‘promising’ treatment for coronavirus.</li><li>Not just Remdesivir, no repurposed drug or combination including Hydroxychloroquine <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/health/coronavirus-remdesivir-who.html">reduced </a>chances of death of a COVID-19 patient, according to the <keyword id="808941" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO-study">WHO study</keyword>. </li></ul>Remdesivir, one of the earliest touted treatments for COVID-19 in the world, is not effective in preventing deaths of coronavirus patients, according to a study sponsored by the World Health Organisation study. The results of the study — <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/ee9b611f-2b4b-4572-afe1-b0b804d17a94">covering</a> over 2,700 people for Remdesivir across 30 countries — were posted online on October 15 and are not peer-reviewed yet. The researchers tried to treat a patient with Remdesivir for 10 days, where each patient received a 200 milligrams (mg) dose on the first day and 100 mg doses on subsequent days. “These Remdesivir, Hydroxychloroquine, Lopinavir and Interferon regimens appeared to have little or no effect on hospitalized COVID-19, as indicated by overall mortality, initiation of ventilation and duration of hospital stay,” noted the findings of the WHO’s Solidarity trial that was released on medRxiv. Gildead disagrees with WHO study Remdesivir was originally developed by Gilead Sciences to treat the Ebola virus and Hepatitis C. The company has so far <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/health/coronavirus-remdesivir-who.html">refuted</a> all the claims made by the WHO study. It asserts that more rigorous studies have found Remdesivir beneficial. “The emerging data appear inconsistent with more robust evidence from multiple randomised, controlled studies validating the clinical benefit of (Remdesivir),” Gilead <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/ee9b611f-2b4b-4572-afe1-b0b804d17a94">said </a>in a comment. WHO has not made in public comment since the study is not public yet. Not just Remdesivir, no repurposed drug or combination including Hydroxychloroquine <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/health/coronavirus-remdesivir-who.html">reduced </a>chances of death of a COVID-19 patient, according to the WHO study. WHO study brings bad tidings for Remdesivir producers Remdesivir is currently the only antiviral drug <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/health/coronavirus-remdesivir-who.html">authorised </a>for treating COVID-19 in the US. It was taken by <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/trump-baselessly-says-he-may-be-immune-to-covid-19-after-being-hospitalized-and-treated-with-a-steroid-used-for-severe-cases/articleshow/78505594.cms">US President Donald Trump </a>when he was admitted to the hospital after testing positive for the virus. India’s Health Ministry too approved the use of the drug to treat mild cases of coronavirus. However, the drug is not recommended to treat those who have several renal impairments, pregnant and lactating women, children below 12 years age. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cost of Remdesivir treatment in India </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Brand </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cost of Therapy </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Hetero </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Covifor </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹32,400 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cipla </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cipremi </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹24,000 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Jubilant Lifesciences </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">JUBI-R </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹28,200 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cadila Healthcare </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Remdac </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹16,800 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Mylan </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Desrem </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹28,800 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Dr Reddy’s </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Redyx </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹32,400 </td></tr></tbody></table>Source:Nomura report dated October, 2020. There are six pharmaceutical giants in India — including Hetero Labs, Jubilant Lifesciences, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Biocon firm Syngene and Zydus Cadila Healthcare — who have signed a non-exclusive agreement with Gilead to produce Remdesivir. The WHO study is likely to be a setback for all the pharmaceutical companies producing Remdesivir. The increasing number of cases in India drove the demand for Remdesivir. According to industry experts, Remdesivir was bringing in at least ₹6.5 million to ₹13 million in revenues per day at the current caseload. “Assuming 5% to 10% market share, we estimate current demand at 1,200 to 2,400 vials per day, which translates to ₹6.5 million to ₹ 13 million in revenues per day at the current caseload. We factor in ₹1.2 billion and ₹0.9 billion in sales from Remdesivir in FY21F and FY22F respectively,” a Nomura report dated October 2020 said. WHO isn’t alone in its skepticism of Gilead’s Remdesivir Remdesivir emerged as one of the most preferred treatments for COVID-19 — this new found disease that was threatening the world — largely driven by Gilead’s narrative. Even before WHO’s study, a Lancet report <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/remdesivir-the-coronavirus-miracle-drug-may-be-overhyped-suggests-lancet-study/articleshow/75470476.cms">contradicted</a> the pharmaceutical giant’s claims indicating that Remedesivir may not be the most ‘promising’ treatment for coronavirus. It warned that Remdesivir provided no clinical benefits to patients who have tested for coronavirus. Despite the warnings, Gilead Sciences continue to claim Remdesivir as a plausible treatment for COVID-19. In July, Gilead released further data suggesting that it <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/978b4f8a-62b5-43a0-ad32-dda1930ec47c">may improve chances of survival. </a>However, these findings have not been confirmed by a randomised controlled trial until now. “What all of us would like to see is what is frequently called a ‘magic bullet’; a drug that’s already in existence, that is safe and works effectively in patients. Unfortunately, in this case, this trial at least suggests the benefits of Remdesivir weren’t there at all,” Julie Fischer, an associate research professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Georgetown University <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/16/who-trial-finds-repurposed-drugs-have-little-effect-on-covid-19">told Al Jazeera</a>. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/chinas-covid-19-coronavirus-is-safe-prompts-antibody-response-says-a-lancet-study/articleshow/78696495.cms">China's COVID-19 coronavirus is safe, prompts antibody response, says Lancet </a>

Remdesivir drug fails to reduce mortality or hospital stay of COVID-19 patients, says WHO study

Drug maker Cipla Limited on Sunday announced the launch of experimental anti-viral drug remdesivir under its <keyword id="9441113" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="brand-name-cipremi">brand name Cipremi</keyword>. Remdesivir is the only US FDA approved Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) treatment for adult and paediatric patients hospitalized with suspected or laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection. In May, US drug maker Gilead Sciences extended a voluntary non-exclusive license to Cipla to manufacture and market Cipla's generic version of remedisvir called Cipremi. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted Cipla regulatory approval for restricted emergency use in the country as part of the accelerated approval process considering the urgent and unmet medical need, the company said in a statement. As part of a risk management plan, Cipla will provide training on use of the drug, inform patient consent documents, conduct post marketing surveillance as well as conduct a Phase IV <keyword id="122283" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Clinical-trial">clinical trial</keyword> on Indian patients. "Cipla appreciates the strong partnership with Gilead to bring remdesivir to patients in India. We have been deeply invested in exploring all possible avenues to save millions of lives impacted by Covid-19 pandemic, and this launch is a significant milestone in that direction," said Umang Vohra MD and Global CEO, Cipla. According to a preliminary report from the ACTT-1 (Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial 1) study, a randomized clinical trial conducted with remdesivir on 1,063 patients over 60 centres across US, Europe and Asia demonstrated a faster time to clinical recovery in hospitalised patients as compared to placebo. Most of these patients were on oxygen therapy of which some were receiving high flow oxygen or non-invasive ventilation, and some were on a mechanical ventilator. The mortality rates in the study were 7.1 per cent in those given remdesivir and 11.9 per cent in those who were given placebo. In May, Gilead Sciences signed non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements with six Indian pharmaceutical companies to boost the supply of remdesivir, the experimental antiviral drug that has shown promise in Covid-19 treatment. These companies were -- Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., <keyword id="9441116" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="zydus-cadila-healthcare-ltd-">Zydus Cadila Healthcare Ltd.</keyword>, Biocon company Syngene, Hetero Labs Ltd.; Jubilant Lifesciences; and Cipla Ltd. Media reports said that Hetero Labs Ltd has also received regulatory approval from DCGI but the drug maker was yet to make it official. Cipla said it will be commercialising remdesivir through its own facilities and partnered sites. The drug will be supplied through government and open market channels, to ensure equitable distribution. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/water-sold-in-aluminum-cans-to-avoid-plastic-use-is-the-latest-trend-in-india/articleshow/76490551.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Water sold in aluminum cans to avoid plastic use is the latest trend in India – but costs six times than that of a mineral water bottle</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/can-non-chinese-mobile-brands-leverage-current-consumer-sentiment-in-india/articleshow/76490835.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Can non-Chinese mobile brands leverage current consumer sentiment in India?</a>

Cipla to sell anti-viral drug remdesivir as Cipremi in India

<ul><li><keyword id="8775508" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="remdesivir">Remdesivir</keyword>, steroids, plasma, <keyword id="6284162" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="tocilizumab">Tocilizumab</keyword>, and Favipiravir are some of the most widely used treatments for COVID-19.</li><li>According to <keyword id="40458" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="AIIMS">AIIMS</keyword>’ director Randeep Guleria, the timing of using these drugs — depending on the condition of a COVID-19 patient — is critical in their effectiveness.</li><li>Using them too early or too late could result in harmful side-effects.</li><li>Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about COVID-19 drugs.</li></ul>(Disclaimer: This should not be considered medical advice. The views and opinions expressed belong to Dr.Randeep Guleria, the director of AIIMS. Please check with your doctor before taking treatment.) It’s been more than a year since the COVID-19 pandemic has been ravaging humanity. Despite predictions that the world would be out of the woods by now, the second wave of the virus is wreaking havoc in countries everywhere, including India. As the number of cases has increased, so has the demand for the drugs that offer potential treatment. This includes everything from the overhyped Remdesivir to less known drugs like Tocilizumab and Favipiravir. These drugs, however, are in short supply. Pharmacies across the country are reporting shortages. Moreover, this has led to a boom in <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/remdesivir-injection-price-jumps-five-times-as-covid-19-cases-rise/articleshow/82083414.cms">blackmarket sales</a> of these drugs. According to Randeep Guleria, director of All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), these drugs aren’t just something that you can take at home. And the timing of when they should be administered is critical in ensuring that a bad situation isn’t made worse. In a press conference on April 19, Guleria answered some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) around COVID-19 and the drugs that fight it. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Here’s a quick look at his responses:" comment="subhead" text="Here’s a quick look at his responses:">Here’s a quick look at his responses:</cmsannotation> <ol><li>Is Remdesivir effective in the treatment of COVID-19? No study has conclusively been able to prove that Remdesivir is beneficial in the treatment of COVID-19. “It’s important to understand that Remdesivir is not a magic bullet and it’s not a drug that is reducing mortality,” said Guleria.</li><li>If there is not enough evidence to support the use of Remdesivir to treat COVID 19, why are doctors still prescribing it? “It [Remdesivir] does have a role,” Guleria explained. While everyone has been focused on coming up with a vaccine to fight off the pandemic, the same push has not been seen in the development of antivirals. So, in absence of a good drug that can treat COVID-19, doctors and patients are turning to Remdesivir in hopes of relief.</li><li>When should a patient of COVID 19 take Remdesivir? More important than the drug itself, is the timing of when it is administered. Taking it too early or too late, could do more harm than good.“Remdesivir has been shown to be useful only in those patients who were hospitalised, who showed oxygen saturation and had infiltrates on their chest X-ray or CT scan,” said Guleria. According to him, the optimal timing for Remdesivir is usually after five to seven days of having the virus. “It is of no use if given early to mild or asymptomatic patients,” he told the press. “It is of no use if it’s given very late because it would create a cytokine storm.” A cytokine storm is when the immune system goes into overdrive. The body starts to attack its own cells and tissues instead of just the virus.</li><li>Is Remdesivir something you can take at home? Remdesivir isn’t just a pill that you can down with a glass of water. It comes in a vial and has to be injected into the body. So, ideally, one should not be taking it at home.“It is for patients who are hospitalised and severe. Therefore it should not be given at home. It is for patients who need to be admitted and need hospital care,” said Guleria. </li><li>Are steroids effective in the treatment of COVID 19? Unlike Remdesivir, there is evidence to support the use of steroids in the treatment of COVID-19. The <keyword id="6356311" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organisation">World Health Organisation</keyword>’s (WHO) recovery trial showed that steroids do have a beneficial effect. “But again, the timing is critical. The recovery trial clearly showed that if we give steroids too early, before oxygen saturation, it showed a harmful effect. Those who got it early had higher mortality than those who did not,” warned Guleria.According to him, steroids are most effective during the later part of the disease, when there is more inflammation and oxygen saturation is falling. “Steroids are only useful for moderate or severe cases,” he said.</li><li>Is plasma a good way to fight off COVID-19? Plasma was popular when COVID-19 initially came around but studies in India, and around the world, have determined that it is not effective in the treatment. “Subsequently, other studies have been done and a large meta analysis as well which combines results of all the studies, have shown that plasma is not effective in treating COVID-19,” said Guleria.</li><li>Should a person with COVID-19 take Tocilizumab? Tocilizumab is a drug of last resort. According to Guleria, it should only be used when a COVID-19 infection in a patient is worsening despite steroids, Remdesivir, and other treatments like anticoagulants. “Tocilizumab is required in less than 2% of COVID 19 patients. Very few patients need this drug because it's only for treating a cytokine storm… And, therefore, it has a limited role,” he explained.</li><li>Is Favipiravir effective in treating COVID-19? Favipiravir is another antiviral that is being promoted for the treatment of COVID 19. It was initially doled out as a treatment of influenza after the H1N1 pandemic.“There is not enough evidence in robust studies to show that it is a good drug. In most countries, it is not being used. They’re not finding higher mortality,” said Guleria. And, since it’s not a proven treatment, India’s national guidelines also don’t recommend its use. </li><li>Is it possible to treat COVID-19 without any of the drugs mentioned above? According to Guleria, people with mild COVID-19 or those who are asymptomatic will improve with just symptomatic treatment.“Outside [in other countries] they treat COVID-19 with paracetamol, good hydration and multivitamins — all of them have recovered without any treatment,” he told reporters. “Giving treatment when it is not required, you may be doing more harm than good.”</li></ol>SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/for-saas-y-salaries-indian-engineers-are-skipping-the-traditional-it-services-queue/articleshow/82157280.cms">SaaS-y salaries are 30% more than traditional IT services — and they’re making it tougher for traditional IT service firms to find the right talent</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/tiger-global-invests-in-healthcare-startup-pristyn-care-valuation-more-than-doubles-in-six-months/articleshow/82158467.cms">Tiger Global invests in healthcare startup Pristyn Care, valuation more than doubles in six months</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-has-the-142nd-rank-of-the-180-countries-in-the-world-press-freedom-index-falls-behind-myanmar-sri-lanka-and-nepal/articleshow/82158331.cms">India still has the ‘bad’ classification in the World Press Freedom Index, falls behind Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Nepal</a>

When to use Remdesivir, Favipiravir, Steroids and Tocilizumab drugs for covid 19 treatment: AIIMS doctor explains

<ul><li>Dexamethasone is one of the very few medicines with strong evidence of providing definite benefits in <keyword id="8764262" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid">Covid</keyword> management.</li><li><keyword id="8775508" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="remdesivir">Remdesivir</keyword> has no impact on final mortality, and at best, can reduce the duration of the illness. </li><li>Antibiotics do not work against viruses; they only work on bacterial infections. COVID-19 is caused by a virus.</li></ul>(Disclaimer: This should not be considered medical advice. Please check with your doctor before taking treatment.) As of 23 April, India has 25,52,940 active cases and has witnessed 189,549 deaths, and the air is grim, to say the least. With a near-collapse of the healthcare system, people are understandably grasping at straws to try anything to keep the virus at bay or, if infected, help alleviate the symptoms. Since healthcare professionals are hard to reach, people are resorting to the next best thing, the internet, which is rife with suggestions and recommendations that are sometimes helpful, but most are borderline dangerous. But what is worrying is that doctors, too, are “recommending medications that have no proper evidence from clinical trials to back them up. One of these drugs is <keyword id="7429144" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ivermectin">Ivermectin</keyword>,” a concerned Dr Ghazzali Ahmad, who works in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) as a frontline accident and emergency doctor tells Business Insider. He adds, “Don’t start randomly taking <keyword id="1056953" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="azithromycin">Azithromycin</keyword> and Ivermectin and large quantities of <keyword id="90405" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zinc">zinc</keyword> and vitamin D. Covid-19 is (caused by) a virus, not a bacteria or parasite.” Dr Vipin Vashishtha — former convener, IAP Committee on immunisation and paediatrician at Mangla Hospital and Research Centre in Uttar Pradesh — echoes Dr. Ahmad’s opinion. <div type="ExtQuote" text="“Self-medication should be avoided. Very few drugs are effective treatments of Covid-19. They include steroids, anticoagulants and, to some extent, Remdesivir. No other drug provides consistent, reliable benefit. All these drugs should be used under the strict supervision of a clinician.&quot;" auname="Dr Vipin Vashishtha"></div> He adds that starting medicines without a physician’s advice may sometimes give the patient a false sense of security, and the key phases of illness may be missed. According to Dr Vashishtha, an essential parameter is constantly monitoring your oxygen saturation with an oximeter. Any drop below 94% should be treated as a red flag and demands urgent referral. “Patients sometimes may remain comfortable even at a low saturation level which is termed ‘happy hypoxia’ and the dip may be easily missed if one is not monitoring their oxygen saturation. Many self-administered drugs may further complicate the course of illness if not used at an appropriate time. For example, some patients start oral steroids in the first few days of illness that may suppress the normal immune responses,” he adds. Medications, their efficacy and side effects <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Budesonide" comment="subhead" text="Budesonide"><keyword id="1368551" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="budesonide">Budesonide</keyword></cmsannotation> Is an inhaled steroid used in the management of bronchial asthma. Its role in treating Covid-19 is not yet confirmed, but few <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(21)00160-0/fulltext">reports</a> have indicated some benefits. Early administration of inhaled Budesonide reduces the likelihood of needing urgent medical care and reduces recovery time. If a patient is incessantly coughing, he/she can take it at home. The medicine has only a few minor side effects like redness, dryness of mouth, etc. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Dexamethasone" comment="subhead" text="Dexamethasone">Dexamethasone</cmsannotation> This is one of the very few medicines with strong evidence of providing definite benefits in Covid management and is one of the few drugs with <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-dexamethasone">WHO backing</a>. This corticosteroid is used to combat a variety of conditions due to its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant properties. Strong evidence suggests that treatment with dexamethasone reduces 28-day mortality in patients with Covid-19 who receive respiratory support. However, there are no benefits (and the possibility of harm) among patients who do not require oxygen. It should be started after one week of getting the illness. During treatment, typical side effects include high blood sugar level, acidity, gastric ulcer, exacerbation or superadded infection (added infections over an existing disease). <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Remdesivir" comment="subhead" text="Remdesivir">Remdesivir</cmsannotation> It is an antiviral drug used initially in the treatment of the Ebola virus. There is still no incontrovertible proof of its efficacy against Covid-19. The drug has no impact on final mortality, and at best, can reduce the duration of the illness. The drug does help reduce viral replication, and if used, it should be used only in hospitalised, moderate-to-severe cases with low SpO2 and require oxygen. It has no prophylactic (preventing an illness) role and should not be administered at home. The drug may have serious side effects on the gastrointestinal, hepatic and renal system. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Becozinc" comment="subhead" text="Becozinc">Becozinc</cmsannotation>This has a high dose of around 50 mg of elemental zinc. There is no evidence that it has some impact either on the duration of the disease or outcome. High amounts of zinc may cause some adverse effects like nausea, vomiting, stomachache, diarrhoea, headaches, anorexia, muscle weakness, etc. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Vitamin C tablets" comment="subhead" text="Vitamin C tablets"><keyword id="20923" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vitamin-C">Vitamin C</keyword> tablets</cmsannotation>Although vitamin C is known to have antioxidant effects, the clinical implication of its use in Covid pneumonia is not established. There is no role of this drug in the prevention of Covid-19. There are reports of the use of high-dose intravenous vitamin C as part of treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with COVI-19 infection, but there are no randomised controlled trials or concrete evidence to support its use. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Doxycycline/Azithromycin" comment="subhead" text="Doxycycline/Azithromycin">Doxycycline/Azithromycin</cmsannotation>Antibiotics do not work against viruses; they only work on bacterial infections. COVID-19 is caused by a virus. Antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19. In hospitals, physicians will sometimes use antibiotics to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections, which can be a complication of COVID-19 in severely ill patients. They should only be used as directed by a physician to treat a bacterial infection. These antibiotics may have some side effects like diarrhoea, oral ulcers, among others. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Antipyretic drugs" comment="subhead" text="Antipyretic drugs">Antipyretic drugs</cmsannotation>This is a mandatory addendum to any Covid-management protocol. It is used for symptomatic relief for fever, headache, muscular pains, etc. However, its use should be restricted to provide temporary relief to associated symptoms. High doses of antipyretics (drugs that reduce fever) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may lead to gastric irritation, acidity, and liver dysfunctions. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="FabiFlu" comment="subhead" text="FabiFlu">FabiFlu</cmsannotation>This oral antiviral drug was approved for influenza in Japan and has shown potent in vitro activity (lab studies) against SARS-CoV-2. However, there is no evidence that this antiviral provides some protection against Covid-19. Some studies have shown that it can reduce the duration of Covid-19 by only 2-3 days. However, quality evidence is lacking. It has some side effects like diarrhoea, hyperuricemia (high levels of uric acid), psychiatric symptoms, etc. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Ivermectin" comment="subhead" text="Ivermectin">Ivermectin</cmsannotation> This is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent used against worm infestation. This is another widely used drug, but there is no evidence that it works. No clinical trials have reported a clinical benefit for Ivermectin in patients with Covid-19. The common side effects include tiredness, loss of energy, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Effectiveness of non-medical recommendations Masking: This is most definitely the way to go. In the current scenario, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/16/cdc-director-says-face-masks-may-provide-more-protection-than-coronavirus-vaccine-.html">some believe</a> it may be more beneficial than even vaccines. Steam inhalation: The steam inhalation practice is risky, and there is no scientific proof that it can prevent a <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> infection. Further, this steam inhalation can be unsafe and may lead to burns. Lying on your stomach to reduce breathlessness: Called <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7402434/">awake proning</a>, this technique helps tackle ARDS. Because of fluid accumulation, patients suffering from ARDS need mechanical ventilation since their lungs are unable to oxygenate blood on their own. Lying on the stomach relieves the excess pressure of fluid build-up around the lung tissues. Smelling a concoction of camphor, clove, carom seeds (ajwain), and eucalyptus oil tied in a muslin bag can help improve oxygen levels and congestion: No evidence that they provide any beneficial effects. Drinking a concoction of black pepper powder, honey, ginger juice will help keep the virus at bay: Again, no evidence to back the same. Divya Coronil: No good-quality evidence. The trials done by the manufacturer had several limitations. Drinking kadha: There is zero evidence that this ayurvedic drink that is primarily a decoction of various herbs and spices helps to combat the virus. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/indian-corporates-vcs-and-startups-are-now-looking-to-charter-flights-and-import-oxygen-cylinders-and-concentrators-into-the-country/articleshow/82230785.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Indian corporates, VCs and startups are now looking to charter flights and import oxygen cylinders and concentrators into the country</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/covid-19-pandemic-has-thrown-the-spotlight-on-a-five-year-old-startup-with-emergency-ambulance-service/articleshow/82229745.cms">COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the spotlight on a five-year old startup with emergency ambulance service⁠</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/the-covid-19-crisis-would-be-much-worse-without-these-good-samaritans-of-india-providing-home-cooked-food-financial-assistance-and-medicines/slidelist/82230244.cms">The COVID-19 crisis would be much worse without these good samaritans of India providing home-cooked food, financial assistance and medicines</a>

Drugs used to combat COVID-19 ⁠— what works and what doesn’t

Beijing, A chemotherapy medication originally developed to treat <keyword id="63672" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lymphoma">lymphoma</keyword> has outperformed the popular remdesivir drug against SARS-CoV-2 in lab settings, and could potentially be repurposed to treat <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19">Covid-19</keyword>, say researchers. A novel computational drug screening strategy combined with <keyword id="10531201" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="lab-experiments">lab experiments</keyword> suggest that pralatrexate drug is a promising candidate for Covid-19 patients. The novel screening approach identified four promising <keyword id="14721" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Drugs">drugs</keyword>, which were then tested against SARS-CoV-2 in lab experiments. Two of the drugs, pralatrexate and azithromycin, successfully inhibited replication of the virus. Further lab experiments showed that pralatrexate more strongly inhibited viral replication than did remdesivir, a drug that is currently used to treat some Covid-19 patients, said Haiping Zhang of the <keyword id="10531200" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="shenzhen-institutes">Shenzhen Institutes</keyword> of Advanced Technology in <keyword id="95282" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shenzhen">Shenzhen</keyword>, China. Zhanh and team screened 1,906 existing drugs for their potential ability to inhibit replication of SARS-CoV-2 by targeting a viral protein called RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP). The findings, published in open-access journal <keyword id="1318021" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="PLoS-Computational-Biology">PLOS Computational Biology</keyword>, suggest that pralatrexate could potentially be repurposed to treat Covid-19. "However, this chemotherapy drug can prompt significant side effects and is used for people with terminal lymphoma, so immediate use for Covid-19 patients is not guaranteed. Still, the findings support the use of the new screening strategy to identify drugs that could be repurposed," the researchers noted. With the Covid-19 pandemic causing illness and death worldwide, better treatments are urgently needed. One shortcut could be to repurpose existing drugs that were originally developed to treat other conditions. "We have demonstrated the value of our novel hybrid approach that combines deep-learning technologies with more traditional simulations of molecular dynamics," Zhang said. He and his colleagues are now developing additional computational methods for generating novel molecular structures that could be developed into new drugs to treat Covid-19. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/kia-motors-11-electric-vehicles-in-2021-but-india-may-have-to-wait-longer-to-buy/articleshow/80056447.cms">INTERVIEW: Kia Motors’ 2021 plan includes 11 electric vehicle launches ⁠— but India may have to wait longer</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/india-edtech-in-charts-how-the-shi[%E2%80%A6]es-of-byjus-unacademy-and-others/articleshow/80040270.cms">India’s edtech in charts – How the shift to online learning meant money, valuation and users for the likes of BYJU’S, Unacademy, and others</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/jio-announces-free-domestic-voice-calls-from-january-1/articleshow/80044256.cms">Jio announces free domestic voice calls from January 1</a>

Lymphoma drug outperforms Remdesivir against COVID-19 virus

<ul><li>Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/dr-reddys-launches-remdesivir-to-treat-covid-19-in-india/articleshow/78015814.cms">launched</a> generic drug <keyword id="8775508" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="remdesivir">Remdesivir</keyword> under the brand name Redyx in India on September 9. </li><li>Redyx will be available in the market for ₹5,400 per 100 mg vial. </li><li><keyword id="72130" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zydus-Cadila">Zydus Cadila</keyword>, on August 13, launched the cheapest version of Remdesivir under the brand name Remdac. </li><li>Apart from <keyword id="6357157" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="cipla">Cipla</keyword> and <keyword id="1167725" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hetero-Labs">Hetero Labs</keyword>, Jubilant Lifesciences and Mylan are working to manufacture the drug in India. </li></ul>Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/dr-reddys-launches-remdesivir-to-treat-covid-19-in-india/articleshow/78015814.cms">launched</a> the generic drug Remdesivir under the brand name Redyx in India. Remdesivir used to treat patients suffering from severe symptoms of COVID-19. Redyx will be available in the market for ₹5,400 per 100 mg vials. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Brand </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Remdesivir Price </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Zydus Cadila </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Remdac </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹2800 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Hetero Labs </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Covifor </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹5000-₹6000 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Dr Reddy </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Redyx </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹5400 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cipla </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cipremi </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹4000</td></tr></tbody></table> Dr Reddy’s Lab is the sixth pharmaceutical company to introduce Remdesivir in India. On August 13, Zydus Cadila launched its own version of Remdesivir called Remda in the Indian market. Remdac is priced at ₹2,800 per 100 mg vial, making it the cheapest version of the drug so far. Zydus Cadila said that the drug will be made available across India through the group's strong distribution chain reaching out to government and private hospitals treating COVID-19 patients. In June this year, Zydus had entered into a non-exclusive agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc to manufacture and sell Remdesivir, the investigational drug, which has been issued an emergency use authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to treat patients suffering from severe symptoms of COVID-19. Previously, pharmaceutical giants Cipla and Hetero introduced generic versions Remdesivir — an antiviral drug first used to treat Ebola — to fight coronavirus. The drug was launched in India in July. India’s Health Ministry approved use of the drug to treat mild cases of coronavirus. However, the drug is not recommended to treat those who have several renal impairment, pregnant and lactating women, children below 12 years age. Hetero said it will make its version of Remdesivir — Covifor — available between ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 for a vial. Whereas, Cipla's Cipremi is available for ₹4000 for per 100 mg vial. Cipla’s Cipremi is available for only those patients who are on oxygen support. Apart from Cipla and Hetero Labs, Jubilant Lifesciences and Mylan are also working to manufacture the drug in India. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Biocon firm Syngene and has also received voluntary permission from Gilead Sciences to produce Remdesivir in India. (With inputs from PTI) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/why-the-latest-surge-in-covid-19-infections-in-india-may-cause-more-deaths/articleshow/78011731.cms">What India’s rising COVID-19 infections don’t⁠ reveal — the lack of health infrastructure in remote areas</a>

Leading pharmaceutical company <keyword id="6357157" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="cipla">Cipla</keyword> on Wednesday announced it has signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement with US-based Gilead Sciences for the manufacturing and distribution of antiviral drug remdesivir. Cipla is the second firm after Noida-based Jubilant Life Sciences whose subsidiary Jubilant Generics Ltdhas inked a pact with Gilead Sciences on Tuesday to manufacture and sell remdesivir, which is under clinical trials globally as a potential treatment of COVID-19 disease. As part of the agreement, Cipla will be permitted to manufacture the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and finished product, and market it in 127 countries including India and South Africa under Cipla's own brand name. "At Cipla, it is our continuous endeavour to ensure that no patient is denied access to life-saving treatments. Our partnership with Gilead represents this unwavering commitment and is a significant step towards saving millions of lives impacted by the pandemic," said Umang Vohra (MD and Global CEO, Cipla Limited). Cipla will receive the manufacturing know-how from Gilead Sciences to manufacture the drug at a commercial scale. The emergency use authorization (EUA) by the US FDA will facilitate broader use of remdesivir to treat hospitalized patients with severe symptoms of COVID-19. The EUA is based on available data from two global clinical trials - US National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases' placebo-controlled Phase 3 study in patients with moderate to severe symptoms of COVID-19, and Gilead's global Phase 3 study evaluating remdesivir in patients with severe disease. Multiple additional clinical trials are ongoing to generate more data on the safety and efficacy of remdesivir as a potential treatment for COVID-19. Remdesivir continues to be an investigational drug that has not been approved by the FDA. "As the world is faced with the COVID-19 crisis, it is imperative that we collaborate and fight this virus together. We are pleased to partner with Gilead for this cause and take this treatment to patients across countries after the required regulatory approvals," said Vohra. The Health Ministry recently said that it is examining remdesivir, which was used during the Ebola outbreak, as one protocol in the treatment for Covid-19. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-will-see-multiple-waves-of-covid-19-infections-every-few-months-but-thats-not-a-reason-to-panic/articleshow/75707889.cms">India will see multiple waves of COVID-19 infections every few months — but that's not a reason to panic</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/1-7-lakh-passengers-book-tickets-as-indian-railways-restarts-operations/articleshow/75707728.cms">1.7 lakh passengers book tickets as Indian Railways restarts operations</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/noida-based-jubilant-inks-packs-with-gilead-to-produce-sell-remdesivir/articleshow/75707813.cms">Noida-based Jubilant inks packs with Gilead to produce, sell remdesivir</a>

Cipla signs licensing agreement with Gilead to manufacture and sell antiviral drug remdesivir

<ul><li>Whether it is the production linked incentive or the waiver of duty on <keyword id="8775508" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="remdesivir">Remdesivir</keyword>, these are steps that could have been taken six years ago.</li><li>In 2015, the Indian government decided to boost the <keyword id="6362048" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="manufacturing">manufacturing</keyword> of API, the most important ingredient in a drug, but the policy remained on paper and as a catchphrase on headlines.</li><li>In fact, since 2015, the year when the government resolved to promote the manufacture of bulk drugs in <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>, the imports have only gone up.</li></ul>Catchphrases don’t cure, actual drugs do. In 2021, everyone from the mighty <keyword id="95879" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword> (SII), the world’s largest vaccine maker, to the whole host of companies that make Remdesivir are scrambling for inputs while the COVID-19 pandemic ravages through a densely populated country with a lot of poor people and inadequate health facilities. However, six years ago, the same government had <a href="http://www.pharmabiz.com/PrintArticle.aspx?aid=86857&amp;sid=1">celebrated ‘the year of API’</a>. The acronym stands for active <keyword id="6469017" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="pharmaceutical">pharmaceutical</keyword> ingredients⁠ or simply put, key inputs needed to make a particular medicine. The event was possibly a hit, the tagline was well promoted, but nothing happened after that. In fact, since 2015, the year when the government resolved to promote the manufacture of bulk drugs in India, the imports have only gone up. <div type="image" title="api imports data." msid="82190922" hostid="261"></div> The idea was to encourage local manufacturing of APIs on a bigger scale but after six years of stated intent, India is still dependent on China for nearly 70% of its API, also called bulk drugs, needs. Now, more than a year into the pandemic, drug makers and vaccine makers in India⁠ — which proudly carries the tag ‘pharmacy of the world’ ⁠— are pleading for access to key raw material. The list includes <keyword id="383467" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Adar-Poonawalla">Adar Poonawalla</keyword>, the chief executive officer (CEO) of SII, who urged the United States on April 16 to allow export of key inputs needed to make the COVID-19 vaccine. <div type="twitter" handle="adarpoonawalla" handlename="Adar Poonawalla" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1302181254746509313/Kn1fTCv6_normal.jpg" favoritecount="103657" retweetcount="26309" status="Respected @POTUS, if we are to truly unite in beating this virus, on behalf of the vaccine industry outside the U.S… https://t.co/MsnowghtBQ" createdat="1618562794000" id="1382978713302683653"></div>There are many factors why API manufacturing hasn’t picked pace in India. The following are the reasons cited by consulting firm PwC. <ul><li>stricter implementation of pollution control norms, leading to higher costs of manufacturing APIs in India issues in interpretation of the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), 2013</li><li>no financial incentives like lower tax, cheaper utilities and land subsidy to lower capex requirement</li><li>lack of large-scale mega parks to manufacture bulk drugs -- collapse of the fermentation industry in India.</li></ul>Before 1991, India was dependent on China only to the extent of 0.3% of its bulk drug needs. Today, 70% of it comes from China. <div type="image" title="India API imports." msid="82190944" hostid="261"></div> The chaos around Remdesivir is one of the examples of how slow the policy wheel moves in India, no matter who is in charge of government. The demand for Remdesivir has been off the charts for a while, for a variety of reasons. The manufacturing process has been stalled by the lack of APIs but the government did not waive off the customs duty on this crucial import, until April 20, about a year after the drug has been allowed to be used as a last resort for COVID-19 patients. Of course, the government <a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1671912">has approved a ₹6,940 crore production-linked incentive scheme</a> to boost the manufacturing of APIs too, among other pharmaceutical products. The policy was announced as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) programme, at the peak of the pandemic. If the same measures had been announced earlier in 2015, when we were celebrating the year of the API, at least a few deaths and some anxiety could have been avoided. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-privacy-oriented-ios-14-5-update-can-impact-on-facebook-ad-revenue/articleshow/82176041.cms">Apple will roll out the privacy-oriented iOS 14.5 update next week that has Facebook worried</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/netflix-co-founder-talks-about-pricing-experiments-in-india-and-partnership-with-jio/articleshow/82175848.cms">Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings says India is a 'speculative' investment – talks about pricing experiments and partnership with Jio</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/all-the-first-time-from-apple-announcements-from-its-spring-loaded-event/articleshow/82174522.cms">All the 'first-time from Apple' announcements from its Spring Loaded Event</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/cryptocurrency-firm-coinbase-hires-former-google-pay-exec-to-lead-india-operations/articleshow/82174729.cms">Coinbase hires former Google Pay exec to lead India ops, is hiring aggressively and looking for startup acquisitions</a>

You Searched For "remdesivir drug in India" and got 13 results

Inside the treacherous black market for Remdesivir in India— from private hospitals to distributors

Prabhjote Gill

The utter chaos and confusion over Remdesivir in India is making the COVID-19 second wave worse

Prabhjote Gill

These are the companies that are making Remdesivir in India

BI India Bureau

How remdesivir drug can save lives in nations with lower hospital capacity

BI India Bureau

Cipla says COVID-19 drug Remdesivir will hit market this week

Navdeep Yadav

Remdesivir drug fails to reduce mortality or hospital stay of COVID-19 patients, says WHO study

Preeti Soni

Cipla to sell anti-viral drug remdesivir as Cipremi in India

IANS

When to use Remdesivir, Favipiravir, Steroids and Tocilizumab drugs for covid 19 treatment: AIIMS doctor explains

BI India Bureau

Drugs used to combat COVID-19 ⁠— what works and what doesn’t

Kavita Majumdar

Lymphoma drug outperforms Remdesivir against COVID-19 virus

IANS

These are the companies that are making Remdesivir in India

BI India Bureau

Cipla signs licensing agreement with Gilead to manufacture and sell antiviral drug remdesivir

IANS

If 2015 was the ‘Year of the API’, why is there a Remdesivir shortage six years later?

Sriram Iyer

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