Amphotericin B, the drug that fights deadly black fungus infection; Centre takes steps to ramp up production

New Delhi: Amphotericin B is the drug being prescribed by physicians to Covid patients/survivors to fight Mucormycosis or the deadly black fungus infection. The post-Covid complication has emerged as a major health hazard, with many cases being reported from different parts of the country.

With sudden demand for Amphotericin B, the Central govt has engaged with manufacturers to ramp up production of the drug. The supply position is expected to improve with extra imports of this drug and increase in its production domestically.

After reviewing the stock position with the manufacturers/importers, and the demand pattern of Amphotericin B the Department of Pharma, has on 11th May, 2021 , allocated this drug amongst the States/UTs based on expected supply that will be available from May 10 to May 31, 2021. States have been requested to put in place a mechanism for equitable distribution of supplies amongst Government and Private hospitals and health care agencies.

States advised for judicious use of drug stock

States have also been requested to publicise in the State the ‘Point of Contact’ for Private and Government hospitals to obtain the drug from this allocation. Further, States have been requested that judicious use may be made of the stock that has been already supplied as well as stock that has been allocated. The arrangements for supply will be monitored by National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA).

The country is going through a severe wave of pandemic and it has affected various parts of the country. The Government of India is continuously working to augment the supply of essential covid medicines and making them available to the State Governments and UTs through an equitable and transparent manner.