Govt focuses on OTC drugs under Covid management | Economic Times

After rolling out a national medical oxygen allocation plan and waiving customs duty on Remdesivir and its raw materials, the Centre has now turned its focus on over-the-counter Covid-19 medicines.ET has learnt that the issue was taken up at a recent meeting of the empowered group in view of the surge in their demand, especially for those undergoing treatment at home.Remdesivir apart, Fabiflu, Azithromycin, Ivermectin, Methylprednisolone, Steroid Dexamethasone, Paracetamol, multivitamins and zinc supplements are being bought over the counter.“A proper monitoring will be done for smooth supply and to check irrational use, blackmarketing and hoarding,” a top official told ET. A process to monitor production will also be initiated immediately to plug the shortage, the source added.Since domestic production of these drugs is considered sufficient, the Centre wants to ensure smooth supply and check hoarding, the official said.As Covid cases increased manifold, an acute shortage of several of these drugs was reported in Delhi last week. On Saturday, India waived off import duties on Remdesivir as well as medical oxygen. The country is finalising a deal with Russia for their imports. Discussions on import of the drug are also on with Bangladesh.