Three-doc panel to monitor sale of tocilizumab injections

Surat: A three-doctors’ committee has been formed by Surat district collector Dr Dhaval Patel to allocate ‘Tocilizumab’ injection (Actemra) to critically-ill Covid-19 patients in the city. State government officials said that the decision was taken to rationalise distribution of scarce resources, particularly injection like this which was being sold in the city’s ‘black market’ at exorbitant prices.
According to sources, the relatives of Covid-19 patients in the city are being forced to purchase this injection paying more than Rs 1 lakh for a 400 mg vial of the drug.
The committee consists of Dr Samir Gami, Dr Alpesh Parmar and Dr Deepak Shukla.
Talking to media, principal secretary (health), Jayanti Ravi said that after knowing about private practitioners misusing ‘Tocilizumab’ injection (Actemra) in Covid-19 treatment, the government decided to form the committee to ensure that patients who really need it get it.
“The committee will provide ‘Tocilizumab’ injections as per ICMR guidelines to critical patients. Any private hospitals requiring the particular injection will have to apply to the committee with all prescriptions, investigation report and case papers. Based on these documents, the committee will decided whether the particular case needs ‘Tocilizumab’ and how many,” Dr Dhaval Patel, collector, said in a statement. “After the assessment of the requirement, the committee will recommend to the superintendent of New Civil Hospital in the city for it,” the statement added.
One of the committee members who made a special video message on the use of the injection, Dr Samir Gami said, “Not all Covid-19 patients need this injection and doctors must use it judiciously.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) carried out a raid in Surat city and arrested Uma Kejriwal, owner of Sarthak Pharma, who was found selling Actemra 400 mg without prescription at Rs 57,000, whereas the MRP is Rs 40,545 per piece. The authorities also seized two Actemra 400 mg from Kejriwal and launched further investigation.
Meanwhile, in a missive sent to health commissioner Jay Prakash Shivhare, Navsari MP C R Patil has urged ensuring enough supply of the injection for the treatment of critical patients.