Pharma firms commit 815,000 doses of remdesivir supply in August

Centre steps up efforts to ramp up production of antiviral drug

In the wake of shortage of critical drugs used to treat Covid patients, the Centre has stepped up pressure on pharmaceutical companies to ramp up production of injectables like remdesivir.

According to sources, 365,000 doses of remdesivir are scheduled for supply in July. In August, the makers have committed to supply 815,000 doses.

Remdesivir is a Gilead Sciences, Inc. drug being made by Indian players under license agreements with the innovator. The drug, originally developed for Ebola, has been repurposed for Covid-19, and is being given to patients under the compassionate-use programme.

Leading pharmaceutical players like Cipla, Hetero Drugs, Jubilant Life Sciences, Mylan,