Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by The Health Master
In view of the increasing incidence of C-19 infection in the state, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has directed C-19 drug remdesivir manufacturers to reduce the wholesale price of the drug and has also proposed to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to bring it under price control.
The Maharashtra FDA is regularly reviewing the availability of drugs required for the treatment of C-19, mainly remdesivir injection, medical oxygen, and other drugs in the state.
For treatment of C-19, mainly remedisivir injection has been found to be effective. Currently, there are 6 major manufacturers of remdesivir injection 100 mg available in the market.
Based on the review, Maharashtra FDA found out that the maximum retail price of remdesivir manufactured by respective manufacturers like Cipla is Rs. 4,000, Zydus Healthcare is Rs. 2,800, Hetero Healthcare is Rs. 5,400, Dr. Reddy’s Lab is Rs. 5,400, Mylan is Rs. 4,800 and Jubilant is Rs. 4,700.
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However, it has been found that the drug was supplied to wholesalers and hospitals at a price of Rs. 800 to Rs. 1,200. In this case, there is an outcry from various quarters about the financial burden being imposed on the patient by the increased maximum retail price.
Rajendra Shingane, Maharashtra Minister for FDA and Saurabh Vijay, secretary, department of medical education and drugs, Maharashtra had directed to take action in this regard.
Considering the difference in wholesale and retail price of this drug, in the wider public interest, the state FDA has also proposed to fix the maximum retail price of remedesivir Injection 100 mg under the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013.
Commissioner, Maharashtra FDA held a meeting with senior officials at Mumbai Headquarters recently to discuss how to reduce this huge gap between the wholesale selling price and maximum retail price of remedesivir Injection and how to make this drug available to the patients at reasonable rates.
The meeting was attended by Cipla Ltd, Zydus Healthcare, Hetero Healthcare, Dr Reddy’s Lab and Mylan. Representatives of these manufacturers as well as representatives of retail chemists and druggists and wholesalers association were also present.
The Maharashtra FDA Commissioner has also directed the manufacturers to reduce the wholesale price of the major drug required for the treatment of C-19, remedesivir injection, in the interest of the patient and to distribute adequate stocks of the drug to retailers in the market.
In this regard, meetings of hospitals and wholesale drug suppliers have been organized. In the meeting dated March 09, 2021, the manufacturers have been instructed to be present with the information regarding the reduction of the maximum retail price of remedesivir injection.
To read notification of NPPA / DPCO, click here
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