Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd has handed over the first batch of Remdesivir to the health minister and said they will continue supplying the drug to government for free treatment of Covid-19 patients.
Managing Director of the Pharma Nazmul Hasan Papon MP handed over 1,000 vials of the drug to health minister Zahid Maleque on Thursday, the ministry said.
The drug has been approved in the US for ‘emergency use’ as some trials show promise. The clinical management committee of physicians in Bangladesh, however, did not include this yet. It is also costly drug.
Nazmul Hasan said Beximco Pharmaceuticals has decided to provide the drug to government medical facilities for free since the government is treating Covid-19 patients free of cost.
“We will deliver the drug whenever the government asks us,” he said, adding that they will not market the drug now.
The health minister thanked Beximco and said they are the first company to produce the drug in the region.
“This medicine will be given to critical Covid-19 patients. Only specialist physicians will be allowed to prescribe it, if required.”
As of Thursday, Bangladesh confirmed 28,511 coronavirus cases and 408 deaths.
The World Health Organisation did not approve any drug for the treatment of Covid-19.
