License granted to 5 more companies for Amphotericin-B

Center’s big decision to deal with black fungus

The Indian government is making every effort to increase the availability of liposomal amphotericin B injections to combat black fungus (mucormycosis). To increase the production of injections, the Government of India has licensed 5 more companies which are capable of making these. Amphotericin-B injection is used to treat patients infected with black fungus. Sources in the central government said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instructed the officials that wherever this injection is available in the world, it should be purchased from there. Following the instructions of the Prime Minister, Indian authorities across the world are trying to ensure the supply of this medicine. After these efforts, the US pharma company Gilead Sciences is supplying (Amphotericin-B) to India rapidly through Mylan, the sources said. So far 1,21,000 injections have reached India. At the same time 85,000 vials are going to arrive soon.

Gilead Sciences will supply one million doses through the Mylan Company. In addition, the company is withdrawing available stock in other countries, which will be supplied to India. According to Indian government sources, the central government has licensed 5 more companies to increase production of amphotericin-B injection.

So far, more than 11,000 cases of black fungus have been reported in the country. The highest number of cases are in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. The Delhi government also reported that there have been 620 cases of black fungus, but amphotericin-B injection used in its treatment is not available. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said, 400 were also met yesterday. Whereas a patient has to take around 6 injections daily. But we are getting only 400. Whereas 3500 is needed, so there is a problem in treatment.
So far more than 2700 cases have been registered in Maharashtra, 2,859 in Gujarat and 768 in Andhra Pradesh. Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Sadanand Gowda said that 29,250 additional vials of amphotericin-B injection have been allocated to all states and union territories. He said that earlier 19,420 injections were supplied on 24 May and 23,680 on 21 May.