Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, April 28(GNS): As relatives of Covid-19 patients continue to report shortage of key drugs like Remdesivir, Jammu and Kashmir does not figure in the interim allocation list of Tocilizumab injections for states and UTs.
Remdesivir is primarily meant for moderately, severely ill covid patients while tocilizumab is given to those who are severely, critically ill.
Even as the officials claim enough supply stock position of the key drugs, reports continue to pour in regarding their non availability in the Valley’s hospitals and pharmacies.
A doctor told GNS that there is already shortage of Tocilizumab and it was surprising that J&K does not figure in the interim allocation list.
“It seems that central government has not been conveyed about the demand of the Tocilizumab by the concerned authorities,” the doctor said and urged the concerned functionaries to express the concerns and ensure adequate supplies amid rising covid-19 cases.
A number of doctors working in COVID19 designated facilities told GNS that both Remdesivir and Toclizumab have been found to be effective in many cases. “We tried to avoid prescribing Remdesivir and Toclizumab injections but other drugs were not found as effective as these two are,” they said, adding, “We have raised the issue with the concerned authorities.”
The doctors said that the relatives of the patients have been continuously reporting that it was very hard for them to manage the drug from the market owing to shortage. Sources said that most of the hospitals in the Valley including SKIMS Soura and facilities meant exclusively for the management of the covid-19 were running out of the Remdesivir supplies.
The Drug Controller General of India has designated Remdesivir as an institutional supply only drug in view of the emerging Covid situation and a quota of 10,500 vials per week has been fixed for J&K by GoI, at present, officials told a meeting chaired by Divisional Kashmir Jammu.
The doctors said that besides ensuring supplies, the quota may also be required to get enhanced by the administration in view of the emerging “grim situation.” (GNS)
