Remdesivir Production To Be Ramped Up, Prices To Be Cut: Minister

Manufacturers of Remdesivir have been asked to reduce the price to less than Rs 3,500 by the end of this week, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

The production of antiviral drug Remdesivir will be ramped up and its prices will be reduced, the government said today after reports of shortage from various parts of the country. Remdesivir, an injectable drug used for Covid treatment, has been flying off the shelves in many states alongside the rocketing virus cases. "The government has decided to increase the production, supply and reduce prices of Remdesivir. This will ramp up production capacity for manufacturing to around 80 lakh vials a month. Manufacturers of Remdesivir are to reduce the price to less than Rs 3,500 by the end of this week," said Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Mr Mandaviya said there was a shortage of Remdesivir in the market because its production was cut down when cases dipped in February.