In a significant development in our fight against COVID-19, Health Ministry-Government of Goa has effectively received supplies of Remdesivir from Cipla Limited.
This anti-viral drug will be administered to moderately severe patients suffering from COVID-19. Remdesivir is an intravenous drug that is given at a dose of 200mg on day one, followed by 100mg daily for five days.
Excited on the collaboration, Health Minister of Goa, Vishwajit Rane said, “We are thankful to Cipla Limited for providing us 1008 vials of Remdesivir. This anti-viral drug will be beneficial in suppressing the viral replication of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Uncontrollable viral replication is often responsible for tissue damage and deaths in patients infected with the virus. The drug will help in faster recovery of COVID-19 patients. Introduction of Remdesivir in the COVID-19 treatment protocol will also help us reduce COVID-19 deaths associated with co-morbidity.”
He said he is grateful to Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant for his constant support in this endeavour.
“With Remdesivir, the right time of administration is important. Dean Dr. S. M. Bandekar and Director-DHS Dr D’Sa have therefore been issued instructions to lay down a strict protocol in consultation with AIIMS for the treatment of COVID-19 patients using Remdesivir. It is very important to define the treatment protocol for COVID-19 patients depending on the severity of the viral infection,”: he says.
Rane added, such categorization of patients will go a long way in making this disease less frightening and the infection more manageable.
Speaking about the association, Umang Vohra, MD & Global CEO, Cipla Limited said, “As the world gets to grip with the unabated COVID-19 pandemic, it is our foremost priority to ensure access to life-saving treatments.
“Today, Cipla is at the forefront of the fight against the global pandemic with a spectrum of offerings. We are pleased to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, Goa towards enabling access to promising treatments,” he said.
