Remdesivir is an antiviral drug that prevents a virus from replicating further (file)
Remdesivir, an injectable antiviral drug repurposed to treat Covid-19, has been flying off pharmacy shelves in recent weeks since India reported a sharp spike in cases of the novel coronavirus. At least three states – Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra – have reported shortages of experimental therapeutic drug.
Due to the increased demand The center has banned the export of remdesivir and its active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Remdesivir, approved for restricted use in an emergency by the country’s top drug agency in June 2020, is used to treat Covid-19 patients with severe complications.
Interestingly, that is The World Health Organization has stated in its solidarity process that remdesivir had “little or no effect” on mortality.
– – Why is there a shortage of remdesivir in India?
– – What are states and the government doing about remdesivir deficiency?
– – Do I have to take an injection of remdesivir?
– – Why were there question marks about the effectiveness of remdesivir?
– – What are the side effects of Remdesivir?
What is remdesivir?
Remdesivir is an antiviral drug that prevents a virus from replicating further. Remdesivir was originally developed to treat hepatitis C by Gilead Sciences of California in 2009. The drug never worked and remained in closed research until 2014. In 2014 it was repurposed to treat Ebola. Remdesivir has since been used to treat two diseases caused by members of the coronavirus family – Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
How does remdesivir work?
Viruses have either DNA or RNA as their genetic material. Coronaviruses are RNA viruses. The novel coronavirus uses an enzyme called RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) to make copies of itself in human cells. Remdesivir inhibits this enzyme and blocks the replication of the coronavirus. Because Remdesivir replaces the material needed by the virus, the coronavirus cannot replicate any further.
Why is there a shortage of remdesivir in India?
The recent sharp rise in Covid-19 cases and the subsequent surge in hospital stays have resulted in a surge in demand for remdesivir. With India reporting fewer than 30,000 Covid-19 cases per day from December 2020 to mid-February 2021, demand had declined and manufacturers had scaled back remdesivir production.
India also exported nearly 11 lakh injections of remdesivir in over 100 countries in the last 6 months. The black marketing of the drug has also exacerbated the matter.
Seven Indian companies – Mylan, Hetero, Jubiliant Life Sciences, Cipla, Dr. Reddy, Zydus Cadila and Sun Pharma – manufacture remdesivir injections under a license agreement with Gilead Sciences. Together they have an installed capacity of approximately 38.80 lakh units per month.
What are states and the government doing about remdesivir deficiency?
On April 11, the government banned the export of Remdesivir Injections and Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) until the situation in the country improved. To ensure easy access to Remdesivir by hospitals and patients, the Union Ministry of Health has asked all domestic manufacturers to post details of their dealers / distributors on their website.
“Drug inspectors and other officials have been instructed to check inventory levels, investigate malpractice and take other effective measures to curb hoarding and black marketing,” the ministry said in a statement.
In Gujarat, the BJP announced the free distribution of 5,000 doses of remdesivir in Surat, which sparked controversy.
Maharashtra has established control rooms at the district level to optimize the supply of remdesivir injections and prevent their hoarding and black marketing. The state has also lowered the price of Remdesivir to Rs 1,200-Rs 1,400.
Madhya Pradesh has decided to provide the drug free of charge to critical Covid-19 patients from economically weaker areas.
Do I have to take an injection of remdesivir?
Well no The center has said that remdesivir should only be given to serious Covid-19 patients. The center has also said the drug should be given in hospitals and should not be used in home settings. “Remdesivir is for use only in hospitalized patients who require oxygen assistance. It is not a domestic or mild issue and should not be obtained from pharmacies [sic]”NITI Aayog (Health) member Dr. VK Paul said at a recent news conference. It takes six doses to complete the entire course of treatment.
Why were there question marks about the effectiveness of remdesivir?
The US Food and Drug Administration approved Remdesivir as the first drug for the treatment of Covid-19 on October 28th last year. Then US President Donald Trump also received remdesivir therapy when he tested positive for Covid-19 in October last year.
Data from Gilead’s U.S. study of remdesivir showed that the treatment reduced recovery time from Covid-19 by five days, compared to patients given placebo in a study of 1,062 patients. It has been approved for use as a Covid-19 treatment in more than 50 countries.
However, interim results of the solidarity study carried out by the WHO showed that remdesivir had little to no effect on Covid-19 patients in the hospital and on the mortality of seriously ill patients.
What are the side effects of Remdesivir?
Some possible side effects include increased levels of liver enzymes (which could be a sign of liver damage), allergic reactions, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, low blood oxygen levels, fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, rash, nausea and swelling of the lips, around the eyes or under the skin and sweating or shaking.
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