Black fungus: 1050 Amphotericin vials allocated to Telangana, enough for 26 patients
The central govt has given 1050 vials, if the doctors are prescribing on an average 40 vials, it will be enough for only 26 patients.
By Sumit Jha Published on 20 May 2021 12:40 PM GMT
Hyderabad: Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers on Thursday said Telangana has been allocated 1050 vials of Amphotericin-B between May 10 to May 31 to combat black fungus.
This comes at a time when reports emerged that a patient has been advised to take 20-60 vials of Amphotericin- B.
"Every day we are getting requests from 200 people about Amphotericin- B. Doctors are prescribing 20-60 vials per patient," said Abhishek Murarka, a volunteer helping out people procuring medicines and injections in the state.
The central government has given 1050 vials, and if the doctors are prescribing on an average 40 vials, it will be enough for only 26 patients.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad police have arrested five miscreants for illegally selling Amphotericin B injections at Rs 50,000 each.
"People are getting panicked. 200 people are calling us for the injection. A day before yesterday, I got one call from a patient's family from Banjara Hills. I connected them to a supplier. One vial costs Rs 7,800 and he was asked to take 60 injections. So he has to pay around 4.6 lakh. Plus the supplier doesn't have enough stocks," said Abhishek.
In India, Bharat Serum and Mylan Pharma are manufacturing the injection.
Abhishek said most of the suppliers have exhausted their stocks. The state government has introduced an online application system for the allotment of antifungal medicines — Liposomal Amphotericin B, Posaconazole, and Isavuconazole.
Application for the medicines should be sent in a prescribed proforma to 'entmcrm@telangana.gov.in'.
The central government has said that the production of Amphotericin B has been ramped up. "3.80 lakh vials are in production and 3 lakh vials are being imported. Around 6.80 lakh vials will be available in the country," said the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
The demand for Amphotericin B is excessively high in the city. Patients' families are running from one corner to another to procure the injection. However, only a few lucky ones are able to buy it.
