Page 69 - COVID Newsletter 11 June

Government’s effort to augment domestic production ensured
supply-demand balance of COVID-19 treatment drugs
On June 1 Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri D.V Sadananda Gowda said that consistent efforts of Government to augment domestic production resulted in a stabilised supply-demand balance of COVID treatment drugs across the country.
The Minister informed that a total of 98.87 lakh vials of Remdesivir were allocated to States, UTs and Central Institutions from 21 April to 30 May 2021. Production of Remdesivir has been ramped up ten times leading to enough supply. With the accelerated production, it has been planned to supply up to 91 lakh vials by the end of June, he added. He further informed that Cipla has imported 11,000 vials of 400 mg and 50,000 vials of 80 mg of Tocilizumab from 25 April-30 May 2021. In addition, MoHFW received 1002 vials of 400 mg and 50,024 vials of 80 mg via donation in May. Further, 20,000 vials of 80 mg and 1000 vials of 200 mg are likely to arrive in June, he added.
Shri Gowda informed that about 2,70,060 vials of Amphotericin B have been allocated to States/UTs and Central Institutions from 11 May to 30 May 2021. This is in addition to the supplies of 81651 vials that had been made by manufacturers to States in the first week of May.
He stated that the production, supply, and stock position of other drugs used in treatment of COVID-19, such as Dexamethasone, Methylprednisolone, Enoxaparin, Favipiravir, Ivermectin, and Dexamethasone Tablets are also being reviewed weekly. The production has been augmented and stocks are available to meet demand.
Shri Gowda assured that the Government is continuously reviewing the availability of COVID-19 treatment drugs with existing and new manufacturers to enable the demand for the drug to be met.
Website link:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1723419
“There will be no deficiency in the care and infrastructure required
for children catching COVID-19” Member, NITI Aayog
A National Expert Group has been formed to review COVID-19 infections in children and approach the pandemic in a renewed way to strengthen the nation’s preparedness. The Group has examined signs which were not available 4-5 months ago. It has also considered available data, clinical profile, the country’s experience, disease dynamics, nature of the virus, and the pandemic and has come up with Guidelines, which will be publicly released soon. This was informed by Dr V.K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog at the Union Health Ministry’s media briefing on COVID-19, held at National Media Centre, PIB Delhi on 1 June. “While we have been systematically reviewing scientific developments in this area, the Group has been formed to take an updated view of the situation,” he said.
Noting that paediatric COVID-19 is gaining attention, he informed that there will be no deficiency in the care and infrastructure required for children who may get infected. He said, “COVID-19 in children is often asymptomatic and rarely requires hospitalization. However, changes in epidemiological dynamics or viral behaviour can change the situation and increase prevalence of infection. No undue burden has been placed on paediatric care infrastructure so far. However, it is possible that 2-3% of children who get infected may need hospitalization.”
VOL. IV ISSUE 4
VIGYAN PRASAR 65
NATION’S S&T EFFORTS AGAINST COVID-19