Remdesivir :
Remdesivir is an injectable anti-virus. It is injected to prevent replication of the virus.
- The Remdesivir was created in 2014.
- It was manufactured on large scale to treat Ebola. Later it was used to treat SARS and MERS.
- Recently, after the COVID-19 crisis, it has been repurposed for COVID-19 treatment
- The shortage of Remdesivir is increasing day by day mainly because of rising COVID-19 cases.
- It is also increasing due to manufacturing and supply issues.
- Madhya Pradesh complained that it has received only half of its requirements.
- Around 70% of the total production of Remdesivir in the country is diverted to Maharashtra.
- COVID-19 infections began rising exponentially after the double mutant variety started spreading in the country.
- This began around February 2021.
- However, the manufacturing resumed only by the end of March 2021.
- This is mainly because Remdesivir requires twenty-five different raw materials in its production.
- The supply chain in India was not strong enough to collect all the raw materials in a short span of time.
- The cycle from production to transportation of Remdesivir takes 20-25 days.
- Thus, the supply chain of the country must strengthen more to avoid similar crises in the future.
