Health Ministry Receives 1st Batch of Remdesivir

The Health Ministry today receives 1 thousand doses of a generic version of Remdesivir - the intravenous drug that has been shown in one trial to reduce the time needed for recovery from COVID-19 - from Beximco Pharmaceuticals, for treatment of serious COVID-19 patient.

Nazmul Hasan Papon, managing director of the company, as well as an MP and president of BCB, headed the delegation that delivered the consignment to the health minister at the meeting room of the ministry.

On the occasion, the Health Minister thanked Beximco Pharma for their initiative.

While talking about the drug, the health minister said, ''Many countries are trying to discover medicine for the treatment of COVID-19. From Bangladesh, the Department of Drug Administration has initially given permission to six companies to manufacture generic versions of Remdesivir. These drugs need more analysis before being brought to market.''

It is to be noted that Remdesivir, for which the patent is owned by original manufacturer Gilead Sciences, will be rebranded as Bemsivir for the generic version produced by Beximco Pharma.

Bangladeshi drug manufacturers however are waived from the patent, thanks to the country’s status as an LDC, under WTO rules.

The drug may be prescribed by qualified and specialized doctors for high-risk Covid-19 patients currently being treated in government hospitals.

The drug will not be marketed now, said Papon.

Source: UNB