Remdesivir : Trending Pharmaceutical Component for Treating COVID-19
Remdesivir
Remdesivir, an injectable anti-viral medicine repurposed for
Covid-19 cure, has been flying off the shelves of dispensaries over the last
few weeks ever since India commenced reporting a steep rise in cases of the
novel coronavirus.
Due to the improved demand, the export of Remdesivir and its
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) has banned the by the Centre. Remdesivir,
which was cleared by the country's top drug regulator for controlled use in a disaster
situation in June 2020, is being used in treatment of Covid-19 patients with
severe complications.
What is Remdesivir?
Remdesivir is an anti-viral drug that prevents further
replication of a virus. Initially it was used to treat Hepatitis C and Ebola.
How does Remdesivir work?
Viruses have either DNA or RNA as their genetic material.
Coronaviruses are RNA viruses. The novel coronavirus creates copies of itself
inside the human cell with the help of an enzyme called RNA-dependent RNA
polymerase (RdRp). Remdesivir constrains this enzyme and blocks the reproduction
of the coronavirus. With Remdesivir replacing the material the virus needs, the
coronavirus fails to replicate further.
Why there is a shortage of Remdesivir in India?
The recent steep spike in Covid-19 cases and subsequent
increase in hospitalisations have led to an increase in demand for Remdesivir.
Moreover, with India reporting less than 30,000 daily Covid-19 cases from Dec 2020
till mid-Feb 2021, the demand had immersed, and producers had cut back on
Remdesivir manufacturing.
India also exported close to 11 lakh injections of
Remdesivir to over 100 countries over the past 6 months.
As Covid cases rise, Companies to scale up Remdesivir
production.
Seven Indian companies -- Hetero, Mylan, Cipla, Jubiliant
Life Sciences, Dr Reddy's, Zydus Cadila and Sun Pharma -- produce Remdesivir
injections under licensing contract with Gilead Sciences. Together, they have
an installed capability of about 38.80 lakh units per month.
Do We need to take a Remdesivir injection?
Actually, not mandatory in mild cases. The Centre has said Remdesivir should be specified
only to serious Covid-19 patients. Also drug should be prearranged in hospitals
and is not to be used at home. "Remdesivir is to be used only in those who
require hospitalisation and are on oxygen support.
What are the side effects of Remdesivir?
Some possible side effects include changes in blood pressure
and heart rate, increased levels of liver enzymes, allergic reactions, low
oxygen blood levels, shortness of breath, fever, wheezing, rash, swelling of
the lips, nausea.
