Can Anti-viral COVID Drug Remdesivir Be Used At Home? Here's All You Need To Know About It

On April 7, Indian Medical Association¡¯s (IMA) members suggested at a meeting with the Pune Covid task force and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Health Officers that the anti-viral Remdesivir, given to coronavirus patients in Hospitals in case of breathing problem, can be used for home-isolated Covid patients. Currently, the drug is given only to hospitalized patients.

Reuters

What has the IMA said?

Sanjay Patil, chairman of the Indian Medical Association¡¯s (IMA) Hospital Board of India (HBI) said, ¡°Giving Remdesivir on an OPD basis is medically termed as ambulatory day-care administration. This is quite prevalent in western countries. If allowed, this will cut down hospitalization and reduce the burden on hospitals,¡± as reported by Times of India.

ANI

What has COVID task force said?

As more than sixty thousand people in Pune opted for home isolation in early March 2021, Remdesivir home use was suggested by Pune Covid task force. Critical care experts, however, urged caution. Sanjeev Wavare, PMC¡¯s nodal officer for Covid-19, said, ¡°If given in haste, without the following protocol, the drug may cause complications. Remdesivir needs to be given under strict supervision and requires monitoring of patient's blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation in the blood." Sanjeev Wavare, PMC officer for Covid-19, added to this, "The suggestion is currently under consideration."

REUTERS

What has the Centre said?

Cut to a week later when the Centre suggested the drug is not meant to be used at home and without any medical supervision allegedly after shortage of the said drug. The Centre on Tuesday said doctors should ensure "rational and judicious" use of anti-viral drug Remdesivir, underlining it is to be given only to serious COVID-19 patients in hospitals and is not to be used in home settings.

At a weekly press conference, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul said, "Remdesivir is to be used only in those who require hospitalisation and are on oxygen support. That is the precondition. There is no question of its use in the home setting and for mild cases, and it is not to be procured from chemist shops."

AFP

What's to be done?

Remdesivir is listed for use in serious COVID-19 patients in the Clinical Management Protocols for COVID-19 as an investigational therapy. As the shortage of Remdesivir was reported in some areas, its export was banned and the medicine is available in plenty, Paul said, adding that "queuing outside chemist shops to procure Remdesivir is creating distortions".

BCCL

"We appeal to physicians to ensure rational, correct and judicious use of Remdesivir in hospitalised patients," he said. In view of a sudden spike in demand due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, India on Sunday banned the export of injection Remdesivir and Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) till the situation improves.