Don’t Misuse Remdesivir, It’s Not A Magic Bullet: AIIMS Director

New Delhi: Remdesivir is in high demand amid the uncontrollable surge in COVID-19 cases in India.

However, AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria said on Sunday said that the drug is not a “magic bullet” and is used to treat patients whose oxygen saturation is below 93.

“Remdesivir not a magic bullet, it’s given only to patients who are hospitalised, have moderate to severe disease and whose oxygen saturation is below 93… Don’t misuse oxygen and Remdesivir. Most patients can recover by isolating at home,” the AIIMS chief said.

The message was loud and clear. Remdesivir can be purchased on producing a doctor’s prescription, and only hospitals and pharmacies are allowed to stock it.

Also Read: Here’s How You Can Check Remdesivir Availability In India

But Remdesivir has passed on to people who are determined to make the most of the situation. As a result, there’s a serious shortage of the drug in pharmacies and hospitals, and the black-marketeers have been selling the injection at 15 to 20 times its actual price.

Also Read: SC Seeks National Plan On Oxygen & Remdesivir Supply, Vaccination Method

The Health Ministry also clarified recently that Remdesivir is not a “life-saving drug” and an “experimental investigational drug” which had been granted emergency authorization to be used on moderately sick COVID patients on oxygen support in hospitals.

Amid the scary second wave of infections, people have been panicking and looking to get Remdesivir any which way.