Report Remdesivir output to State government, Bombay Hight Court tells pharma units
The Hindu
Nagpur Bench flags shortage of supplies to COVID-affected districts; asks FDA to share figures on its website
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Sunday directed pharmaceutical companies to send their figures of Remdesivir production to the State nodal officer and Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and upload the same on their website, warning of criminal prosecution if this was not followed. A division bench of justices S.B. Shukre and A.G. Gharote was hearing suo motu a public interest litigation petition on the shortage of medicines, oxygen, beds and other essentials for COVID-19 in Nagpur and other adjoining areas. State nodal officer Vijay Waghmare informed the court that Nagpur had received 20,000 vials of Remdesivir after the court’s direction. The court, however, said it needed to ensure a steady supply and remarked that there is some issue at the level of pharma companies. Mr Waghmare agreed and said the companies are not honouring their commitment though the State government was in touch with them.The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.