Families of Covid patients struggle to get Remdesivir in Tamil Nadu amid shortage

Amid a shortage of the antiviral drug, family members of Covid-19 patients are forced to stand in long queues in Tamil Nadu with no guarantee of whether or not they would return home with a vial of Remdesivir.

Instances of non-availability, hoarding and illegal sale of drugs used in the treatment of Covid-19 are surfacing from parts of Tamil Nadu. Relatives of patients are travelling far and wide to get a hold of Remdesivir; a number of them left with no option than to pay exorbitant prices for the antiviral drug. Speaking to India Today TV, Ibris, whose brother is infected with Covid-19 and undergoing treatment at a private hospital, said, "Remdesivir costs Rs 25,000 in the hospital where my brother is being treated."