Covid-19: India bans export of Remdesivir injection, API

India today prohibited the export of Remdesivir injection, which is used to treat Covid patients, and also Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), amidst a surge in coronavirus cases in the country.

As of today, there are 11.08 lakh active Covid-19 cases and they are steadily increasing.

"This has led to a sudden spike in the demand for injection Remdesivir used in treatment of Covid patients. There is a potential of further increase in this demand in the coming days," the country's health ministry said in a statement.

In light of this, the Government of India has prohibited the exports of till the situation improves, it said, our New Delhi correspondent reports.

Seven Indian companies are producing the Remdesivir injection under voluntary licensing agreement with M/S Gilead Sciences of the USA. They have an installed capacity of about 38.80 lakh units per month.

All domestic manufactures of Remdesivir have been advised to display on their website, the details of their stocks/distributors to facilitate access to the drug.

Drugs inspectors and other officers have been directed to verify stocks and check their malpractices and also take other effective actions to curb hoarding and black marketing of Remdesivir.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals has been in contact with the domestic manufacturers to ramp up the production of Remdesivir.