In a significant development, the Centre on Saturday has capped the prices of the anti-COVID-19 drug Remdesivir. The decision comes as a huge relief for lakhs of COVID-19 patients. After government intervention, major manufacturers, marketers of Remdesivir injection voluntarily reduced the maximum retail price (MRP).
Drug companies like Cadila Healthcare, Dr Reddy's Laboratories and Cipla have cut the prices of their respective brands of Remdesivir injection (100 mg/vial).
"Due to the government's intervention, the price of #Remdesivir Injection is now reduced! I am thankful to pharmaceutical companies for joining hands with the Government to fight against COVID-19 Pandemic," Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh L Mandaviya tweeted.
After the price cuts, ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,700, Cadila Healthcare's Remdac continues to be the cheapest Remdesivir injection at Rs 899.
The revised prices of major brands of Remdesivir injection 100mg/vial are as follows-
According to the details shared by the NPPA, Cadila Healthcare has reduced the price of its REMDAC (Remdesivir 100 mg) injection to Rs 899 from Rs 2,800 earlier. Similarly, Syngene International has cut the price of its brand RemWin to Rs 2,450 from Rs 3,950 earlier.
Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratories has cut the price of REDYX, which used to cost Rs 5,400 earlier to Rs 2,700 now.
Similarly, Cipla has reduced the price of its CIPREMI brand to Rs 3,000 from Rs 4,000 earlier.
Mylan has also reduced the price of its brand from Rs 4,800 to Rs 3,400. Similarly, Jubilant Generics has cut the price of its Remdesivir brand to Rs 3,400 from Rs 4,700 earlier.
Hetero Healthcare has also cut the price of its brand COVIFOR from Rs 5,400 to Rs 3,490 now.
The announcement comes days after the Centre held a meeting with all-existing manufacturers of the drug and other stakeholders in order to discuss steps taken to increase production and supply and reduce prices of Remdesivir.
Remdesivir is considered a key anti-viral drug in the fight against COVID-19, especially in adult patients with severe complications.
