The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 7th June 2021 has issued an advisory for rational use of Remdesivir in treating Covid-19 patients. The recommendations calls for extreme caution in prescribing the drug to Covid-19 patients and regular review of its use at hospitals.
The Remdesivir is to be used only in select moderate/ severe hospitalized Covid – 19 patients on supplemental oxygen as it is a reserve drug approved under Emergency Use Authorization only based on limited scientific evidence globally and It is not indicated in mild Covid – 19 patients who are in home care/ Covid Care Centres.
Every hospital needs to set up Special Drug Committee which must review use of Remdesivir in their hospital periodically. The Special Drug Committee should share their findings with the clinicians periodically to ensure rational and judicious use of Remdesivir.
Further, the drug should be procured and provided by the hospitals only; the patient’s attendants/ relatives should not be asked to procure Remdesivir from retail market.
