New Delhi,
India’s drugs regulator has asked drug controllers in states and Union Territories to keep a strict vigil to prevent black marketing of the anti-viral Remdesivir injection, approved for emergency and restricted use to treat COVID-19 patients.
Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr V G Somani said in a communication to Drugs Controllers in states and UTs that his office received a letter raising concerns that certain unscrupulous persons were indulging in black marketing and over-pricing of the drug.
He said the complaint was received from LocalCircles, a community engagement and social media platform, through the ministry of health.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved restricted emergency use of Remdesivir injectable formulation for treatment of patients with severe COVID-19 infection subject to various conditions and restrictions, Somani said in his letter on Monday.
Initially, Remdesivir formulation of the innovator was approved on June 1 for import and marketing in the country. However, the importer is yet to bring it to India after taking import license from the CDSCO.
