The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Abhimanyu Kale has assured availability of remdesivir injection, medical oxygen, face mask and hand sanitizer based on the review done recently by officials about availability of medicines required in the wake of surge in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra.
Given the increasing incidence of COVID-19 infection in Maharashtra and the increasing number of patients with it, the state government has sounded possibility of another wave of COVID-19 in the state.
Maharashtra FDA Minister Dr. Rajendra Shingane is regularly reviewing the availability of medicines for COVID 19 in the state and giving necessary directions to the administration. Maharashtra FDA Commissioner has appealed to the people to inform the administration on toll free number 1800222365 if there is any complaint regarding black marketing of medicines and other related products.
The Maharashtra FDA officials have assured that there are enough face masks and hand sanitizers required for the prevention of COVID-19 diseases in the state at present. N-95, 2 ply and 3 ply face masks are available to the public at reasonable prices.
Until February 23, 2021, there was available stock of 51,425 Remdesivir Injections, 20,15,381 Favipiravir Tablets 200/400 mg, stocks of medicines are available in COVID-19 hospital and drug distributors in the state. In addition, 1.97 lakh Remdesivir Inj stocks are available for distribution at Mylan Lab's Nagpur Depot. At present, the state has sufficient stock of medicine required for the treatment of COVID 19.
Adequate supply and regular supply of medical oxygen required for the treatment of COVID 19 diseases has been started at Covid hospitals. The combined production capacity of 30 manufacturers and 88 refillers / distributors in the state is 1287 metric tonne (MT) per day. The state has a daily demand of 513 MT. Till date, stock at the producer level is 6227 MT of medical oxygen and 2489 MT at the hospital level.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Abhimanyu Kale has directed the Joint Commissioners (Drugs), Assistant Commissioners (Drugs) of all the departments in coordination with the local district administration and municipal corporations to provide medical oxygen, medicines, face mask and sanitizer is easily and reasonably available.
