AHMEDABAD: It probably took the second wave of Covid-19 infections for the people of Gujarat to learn the importance of precautions and curb the spread of coronavirus. This can be seen from the steep decline in sales of remdesivir and favipiravir, which are used in the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
The sales of remdesivir across Gujarat plummeted 78% to just 19,871 vials (injections) in January 2021 from 91,494 vials in December 2020. Similarly, the consumption of favipiravir tablets (200/400/ 800mg) nosedived by 86% to 55,900 units from 4 lakh during the same period.
According to data by Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA), Gujarat, the consumption of these Covid-19 drugs had reached its peak in November. The sales, however, have declined substantially in line with the reduction in Covid-19 positive cases in the state.
“Cases of Covid-19 declined significantly in January from its peak in November, when a second wave of infections were reported,” said Dr HG Koshia, commissioner, FDCA – Gujarat.
Medicine industry experts said that following an enormous spike in Covid-19 cases post-Diwali, increased precautions and better awareness seem to have caused a decline in cases, and thus, a fall in sale of medicines.
Covid awareness increased
With imposition of hefty fines on mask-violation, and the second wave of infection led to greater awareness among people about Covid-19. As a result, sale of medicines used to treat Covid-19 patients also declined,” said Alpesh Patel, president, Federation of Gujarat State Chemists and Druggists’ Association.
The severity of infections also reduced and therefore, even procurement by hospitals went down significantly, Patel further said.
Industry experts said that the trend is not just limited to Gujarat but is observed across the country. Hari Natrajan, founder, Pronto Consult and an expert in pharmaceutical management and consultancy, said, “Sale of azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine has also slowed in January as compared to November and December. Earlier, there was hefty bulk purchase of these medicines; however, the same has seen a considerable decline with fresh Covid-19 cases going down.”