So far, Nepal has been relying on India for lifesaving Remdesivir drug, which is being used for COVID-19 patients. Time has now come to be self-reliant.
The Himalayan country is making preparations to manufacture Remidesivir locally. However, the Department of Drug Administration is yet to give a node.
The Drug Department has already granted permission for the Birgunj-based National Health Care for manufacturing the medicine, informed Department’s information officer Santosh KC.
The Department has granted permission to the Health care after scrutinizing all its infrastructure facilities.
When Remdesivir was imported from the Indian market, it was priced at approximately NPR 5,000.
Meanwhile, Health Care has already started preparations to procure raw materials for the medicine from China, informed the company’s Vice President Ajaya Pandey. The procurement will be initiated once the Drug Department gives a green signal.
Ajaya also mentioned that the raw materials would be brought within May 31. The medicine would be manufactured in 15 days from that date and supplied to the market.