Mystery about source of Remdesivir in black market

Karnataka government has regulated sale of the medicine used for COVID-19 patients

In the last fortnight, not a day has gone by without the city police making an arrest for sale of Remdesivir in the black market. Since the State government has regulated the Remdesivir market, both the police as well as the Karnataka State Drugs Control Department are intrigued about the source of the medicine in the black market. There are also concerns about fake medicines being sold. A senior drugs control officer explained that even the pharma company producing Remdesivir is not allowed free trade of the drug in Karnataka. “Hospitals have to raise indent with the local Drugs Control Officer on a dedicated portal, submitting details of the patient. The department will allot Remdesivir to the hospital based on severity of the case and availability of the drug. The supplier will have to supply to the hospital directly, strictly based on allotment made by the department,” the officer explained. “Given how the entire supply chain is regulated, we are curious about the source of the vials in the black market,” he said.