Amritsar, April 27
To overcome the shortage and bring down the price of Remdesivir, Amritsar-based Kwality Pharmaceuticals has approached the Union Government, seeking nod for the sale of this anti-viral drug in the domestic market.
Only seven Indian companies have the rights to produce and sell Remdesivir injection locally under agreement with US-based Gilead Sciences. Kwality Pharmaceuticals is among other firms that can only manufacture and export the drug.
It has a capacity to produce 50,000 doses a day. The firm has sought temporary exemption from patent laws from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.
Ramesh Arora, MD, Kwality Pharmaceuticals, said, “Though the Centre has put curbs on Remdesivir export, norms must be relaxed so that we can sell the drug locally to overcome its shortage. The injection can be made available for just Rs 1,500.”