Remdesivir available at 10 times the govt price on black market in Haryana

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, April 21

Remdesivir, an injectible drug used for the treatment of Covid patients, is being sold on the black market in the state. Family members of Covid patients undergoing treatment at private hospitals are forced to purchase the vials of the injection at prices up to 10 times of the rates fixed by the government.

Even the authorities concerned concede that black-marketing of Remdesivir is on due to its rapidly increasing demand and limited supply. They, however, maintain that the necessary measures are being taken to ensure the provision of the said medication at the price fixed by the government to the patients who require it.

“My mother has tested positive for Covid and has been prescribed Remdesivir, but it is not available at the hospital. However, it is being sold for up to Rs 20,000 per vial at some shops, while the government has fixed its price at Rs 1,800 per vial,” said a woman, whose mother is admitted at a private hospital in Rohtak.

Rohtak DC-cum-District Magistrate, Capt Manoj Kumar, asserted that he would look into the matter, adding that strict legal action would be taken against those found indulged in black-marketing of drugs.

Rohtak Drugs Control Officer Mandeep Maan said they had been ensuring the provision of Remdesivir to Covid patients at the rates fixed by the government, but its demand was quite high while the supply was limited.

“We have been getting Remdesivir vials of different companies supplied to Covid patients at Rs 1,800 and Rs 2,500 per vial, which are significantly lower than their MRPs. However, only 1,000 vials of Remdesivir are being provided for the entire state per day, while its demand has been increasing rapidly,” he stated.

The officer admitted that the black-marketing of Ramdesivir was going on, observing that it had become a national issue. On being questioned about the state and district, he said several establishments had been raided at Gurugram and Panchkula.

“We will take action in Rohtak whenever we receive any specific complaint about anyone engaged in such practice,” he affirmed.

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