COVID-19: Cost of Remdesivir fixed; one vial for Rs 2,200

Pune: The price of 100 mg Remdesivir injection manufactured by Cipla has been fixed at Rs 2,282, said the Director of Medical Education and Research, Dr Tatyarao Lahane informed.

With grievances of the scarcity of Remdesivir injection and the drug being sold in black markets in Pune, the Maharashtra government has directed the concerned pharma companies to make obtainable satisfactory quantity, as per the requirement of injections, for treatment of COVID-19 patients. The government has also stated that Rs 2,200 can be charged for each vial of injection.

Doctors prefer this injection for the treatment of coronary artery disease patients in the state. Different companies have different rates in this regard. An injection vial from Hetro and Dr Reddy's company costs Rs 5,400. JBR is priced at Rs 4,900 while Cipla at Rs 4,000. The government had directed the Directorate of Medical Education and Research to fix the rates of essential medicines for corona treatment. On that basis, the rates of injection produced by Cipla have been fixed. Lahane explained.

COVID-19 patients are undergoing treatment at hospitals affiliated to all government colleges in the state. These patients have also admitted in the hospitals of the health department and in all the private hospitals declared for the treatment of COVID-19. Prices of essential medicines for patients have been kept under control.

Also, the state government has issued a notice to all district collectors, administration and hospitals, directing them that the price of Remdesivir injection has been fixed at Rs 2,200 for one year.