Remdesvir injection price slashed by pharma companies

The antiviral considered important in the treatment of Covid-19, the manufacturers of the drug have slashed the price after the Indian government's request.

Zydus Cadila has made the sharpest price cut by reducing the price of its brand Ramdac from Rs 2,800 for a 100 mg vial to Rs 899 followed by Dr Reddy's Lab which has slashed its brand Redyx price from Rs 5,400 to Rs 2,700.

Similarly, Syngene International has reduced its brand RemWin price from Rs 3,950 to Rs 2,450. Cipla Limited has reduced the price of its brand Cipremi from Rs 4,000 to Rs 3,000, Mylan Pharmaceutical has reduced its brand Desrem price from Rs 4,800 to Rs 3,400, Jubilant Generics has reduced its Brand Jubi-R from Rs 4,700 to Rs 3,400 and hetero Healthcare has reduced its brand Covifor from Rs 5,400 to Rs 3,490.

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority said that the price slash is in reference to the ongoing efforts for enhancement of availability and affordability of 'Remdesivir' injection. "On the intervention of the Government, the major manufacturers/marketers of 'Remdesvir injection' have reported voluntary reduction in Maximum Retail Price. The revised price of major brands of Remdesivir injection 100mg/Vial," said National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority.

Due to the surge in the demand for the vaccine, the country's production of the antiviral drug has gone up from 2.8 million to 4.1 million vials per month during the past week. The central government has distributed close to 700,000 vials of Remdesivir to various states and Union territories across the country.