States allocated 98.87 lakh vials of Remdesivir so far: Gowda

New Delhi: The government has allocated 98.87 lakh vials of antiviral drug Remdesivir to states and union territories so far, Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Sadananda Gowda said on Sunday.

He noted that 22.17 lakh vials of the drug, which is being used in the treatment of COVID-19, have been allocated to states for the period May 23 to May 30.

”Additional 22.17 lac vials of #Remdesivir have been allocated to all states/UTs for the period 23rd to 30th May. Earlier, 76.70 lacs vials of the drug were made to all states till May 23, thus total 98.87 lacs vials of #Remdesivir have been allocated across the country so far,” Gowda tweeted.

With a massive surge in coronavirus infections across the country, demand for Remdesivir has gone up manifold.

The government has already waived customs duty on Remdesivir, its raw materials and other components used to make the antiviral drug in order to help augment domestic availability and reduce the cost of the injection.

On April 11, the Centre banned the export of the injection and its APIs till the situation improves.

Various drug companies have also cut the prices of Remdesivir injection following intervention of the government.