Covid drug banned for being ‘expensive’

Punjab govt stops Pindi hospitals from buying injection worth Rs6,000

RAWALPINDI:

The public hospitals across Punjab have been barred from purchasing an antiviral injection which has proven to be beneficial for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) patients suffering from low oxygen levels, a health expert shared on Sunday.

They mentioned that the antiviral drug, Remdesivir, costs about Rs6,000 per injection while three to four doses are required to be administered to an infected patient in critical condition. “However, the families of the patients are compelled to purchase the injections from pharmacies outside the hospitals as they are not available at the hospital,” they added.

The official shared that the drug has shown notable progress on Covid-19 infected patients with low oxygen saturation while sources told The Express Tribune that the Coronavirus Emergency Advisory Group (CEAG) has banned the purchase of the drug, citing high prices and low effectiveness.

The health expert stated that medical practitioners in the twin cities recommend otherwise as patients under self-isolation at homes are being advised to use Remdesivir for alleviating the effects of the virus.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2020.