Remdesivir shortage: DC calls for use of alternative medicines

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 3

Amid acute shortage of remdesivir and tocilizumab, which are used in Covid treatment, Patiala Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit today appealed doctors to prescribe alternative medicines to patients.

Kumar said the expert group headed by Dr KK Talwar, Advisor, Health and Medical Education, Government of Punjab, had also recommended itolizumab and dexamethasone for critical Covid patients.

Referring to a communication from the expert group, Kumar said: “As the tucilizumab-400 mg was not manufactured in India and its availability in the country was also low, one should opt for other drugs available in the market for treating critical Covid patients.”

Meanwhile, Civil Surgeon, Patiala, Dr Satinder Singh, has written to the IMA Patiala and private hospitals, advising them to prescribe alternative medicines to patients in view of the shortage of remdesivir and tucilizumab.

Kumar Amit, meanwhile, appealed to the residents to strictly follow the instructions of the health experts and the government to avoid the infection.

He said the district administration and the Health Department were available round-the-clock for treatment and care of Covid patients.

Every citizen should cooperate with the state and do their bit to curb the spread of the pandemic, he said.