Govt creating 30-day stock of key Covid drugs ahead of anticipated 3rd wave

State governments like Rajasthan and Gujarat, too, are trying to pile up the stock of other essential medicines

Ahead of the anticipated third wave, India is trying to build a buffer stock or inventory of essential Covid-19 medicines like remdesivir and favipiravir, besides common drugs and supplements like paracetamol, antibiotics, and vitamins. According to industry sources, the plan is to have a 30-day stock for key drugs like remdesivir, a shortage of which was witnessed during the first two waves.

“The Centre is planning to procure 5 million vials of remdesivir ahead of the third wave. What’s better is that this time, the government is paying us in advance,” said a senior executive of a Mumbai-based pharma player which