Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairman, , decodes the current Covid situation. Edited excerpts from her interview to ET Now:
ET Now: What is your take on the Remdesivir situation, including the price drop?
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: This surge in demand was completely unexpected. The companies have rallied around, with everyone rapidly ramping up production. I think we will be able to put availability issues behind us in a few weeks' time.
By early or mid May, we should be able to cater to all the demand.
As far as pricing is concerned, it's the market forces that have brought prices down substantially. This augurs well for patients who need it.
There is a shortage of other Covid drugs as well. When do you see the situation normalising?
It is very difficult to predict how long the second wave will last. We are ramping up production of drugs like Itolizumab and Tocilizumab to meet surge demand.
There is an acute shortage. This is a life saving drug. So there is a huge challenge, and we are all trying to address it.
What is your view on people catching Covid after the first vaccine shot, and some even after the second one?
We must understand that chances of re-infection are high for all viral diseases. What vaccination does is, it protects you from severe infection.
With one shot, your body is able to rapidly deploy its defensives against an invading virus. Therefore it is important to vaccinate as many people as possible at least with one shot.
Those getting re-infected after vaccination are only catching moderate or mild contractions. That is an important thing to take note of. That is why there is a need to double down on vaccine deployment.
When do you think the second surge will peak?
See, one must understand that the virus has mutated. You will now have mutant strains that will go on challenging us. But like I said, if a substantial percentage of the population can be vaccinated, that will enable us to keep our hospitals and medical resources from getting overwhelmed.
The second wave, in my opinion, will take a few more months to subside. I think we should be prepared for various types of possibilities.
ET Now: What is your take on the Remdesivir situation, including the price drop?
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: This surge in demand was completely unexpected. The companies have rallied around, with everyone rapidly ramping up production. I think we will be able to put availability issues behind us in a few weeks' time.
By early or mid May, we should be able to cater to all the demand.
As far as pricing is concerned, it's the market forces that have brought prices down substantially. This augurs well for patients who need it.
There is a shortage of other Covid drugs as well. When do you see the situation normalising?
It is very difficult to predict how long the second wave will last. We are ramping up production of drugs like Itolizumab and Tocilizumab to meet surge demand.
There is an acute shortage. This is a life saving drug. So there is a huge challenge, and we are all trying to address it.
What is your view on people catching Covid after the first vaccine shot, and some even after the second one?
We must understand that chances of re-infection are high for all viral diseases. What vaccination does is, it protects you from severe infection.
With one shot, your body is able to rapidly deploy its defensives against an invading virus. Therefore it is important to vaccinate as many people as possible at least with one shot.
Those getting re-infected after vaccination are only catching moderate or mild contractions. That is an important thing to take note of. That is why there is a need to double down on vaccine deployment.
When do you think the second surge will peak?
See, one must understand that the virus has mutated. You will now have mutant strains that will go on challenging us. But like I said, if a substantial percentage of the population can be vaccinated, that will enable us to keep our hospitals and medical resources from getting overwhelmed.
The second wave, in my opinion, will take a few more months to subside. I think we should be prepared for various types of possibilities.
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4 Comments on this Story
 | radhakrishnan jeevanandham59 minutes ago Being an important Captain of Pharma industry Kiran Mazumdar Shaw must be knowing what she speaks . While it is the job of pharma industry to rise up to the demand , the Govt shall always expect the worst with backup plans . That way our state of readiness for the second Corona wave is disappointing . There was significant failure in distribution of Remdesivir and now even Vaccines are nearing short supply despite limiting it’s use mostly to elders. It is discomforting to note , despite having the world’s largest vaccine making facility at Pune , we are unable to vaccinate all workers who have continuous public contact like bank staff. Thoughtful countries like USA funded research like the one of Moderna , bought the vaccine in bulk quantities and vaccinate even an 16 year old youth without facing supply problems . Here in India we doctor the infection figures , arbitrarily fix vaccine prices even when it is privately produced and finally extend support to Serum institute and Bharat Biotech when situation threatens to go out of hand . Why should we hurry to run Bullet trains and build a second Parliament house when we cannot fund adequate vaccines. Sad we even made IDPL , a large drug made PSU ineffective , leaving pharma production responsibility to private sector. Looks like Govt of the land needs to have a hard look on life saving responsibilities . India is a case of an aspiring pharma capital stumbling under it’s nose . |
| Raj Rao1 hour ago We don't want your opinion |
| Madan R2 hours ago This srcond wave was not unexpected but our top leaders unexpectedly lack of skill set in understanding to up production of drugs, oxygen and bed requirement across the country. The WHO was monitoring and advising regularly but it was not cascaded down to the states in time due to the leaders concern with electioneering. A laggard central govt we have. |
