The allocation has been made to 36 states and UTs for a total of 53,00,000 vials

In an attempt to ensure adequate availability of Remdisivir, the central government has finalsed the allocation of vials of the anti-viral drug to states and Union Territories (UTs) till May 16.

This will ensure smooth supply of Remdesivir across country so that no patient faces difficulty in this pandemic time, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers DV Sadananda Gowda said on Friday.

A letter written to all states and UTs said that an updated allocation plan valid for the period April 21-May 16 had been prepared jointly by Department of Pharmaceuticals and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The allocation has been made to 36 states and UTs for a total of 53,00,000 vials.

According to the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, state and UTs have been asked to monitor proper distribution of the supplies, covering both government and private hospitals as appropriate.

They have also been advised to ensure judicious use of the anti-viral injection.

At the same time, state and UT
governments have been advised to place adequate purchase orders with the marketing companies immediately, if they have not already done so.

According to the ministry, this should be done for the quantity that they want to purchase out of allocation for the State/ UT as per the supply chain, in close coordination with liaison officers of the companies.

"Coordination with private distribution channel in the state could also be made," the ministry added.

Nodal officers in each state have been asked to coordinate and follow up with the marketing companies to get the delivery of Remdisivir injections as per their daily requirements.

Over the past month, the production of Remdisivir in the country has gone up nearly threefold. In April, the government had banned the export of the anti-viral drug.