Chandigarh Health Dept regulates remdesivir distribution

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 1

To ensure availability of remdesivir injection to Covid-19 patients, the UT Health Department will procure it from the open market or allocation by the Government of India and distribute among all government and private hospitals treating infected persons.

The sale of remdesivir through private distributor or chemists has been banned in the UT. The Health Department will distribute the injection to government or private hospitals on cost-to-cost basis. Private hospitals can charge the same rate from the patient. Hospitals can apply for remdesivir injection by writing to the Director, Health and Family Welfare, Chandigarh, via email at dhs_ut@yahoo.co.in.

The provision of the injections will be subject to the justification of the demand along with all the relevant medical records. The supply of the remdesivir injection to hospitals will be based on the availability of stock. The hospitals receiving the jab will have to submit a daily report on patients to whom it was administered.

Rohit Seth, an advocate in Chandigarh, said, “How can only one officer and one email id receive applications and medical reports of patients to sanction remdesivir injection. Thousand of coronavirus patients are under treatment and if the injection will be provided to them subject to availability and supply by the Government of India, then it is better that all chemists should sell it, at least some patients will get it in time. Patients are battling against life. How can their family members await the outcome of emails and be at mercy of the authorities.”