Last Updated on July 21, 2021 by Team THIP
Quick Take
A message has been doing rounds on social media claiming that Remdesevir, the drug that is popularly used to treat Covid patients currently is available at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras in India at Rs 899. We fact-checked and found that the claim is false.
The Claim
“Anyone requiring injection Remdesivir can get @ Rs 899/- as against Rs.4000/- to 50000/- charged by medical shops. You can purchase it directly from Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra,” reads the viral social media message which then further lists down the documents required for the purchase.
The message is distributed through WhatsApp and is also available on Twitter.
Fact Check
What is Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra?
The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras are a series of shops set up by the Indian Government with an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all.
Is Remdesevir available at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras?
No. Remdesevir is not available in Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
The website of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras lists down the approved list of medicines. The list which mostly contains generic drugs, does not contain the name of Remdesevir (or any of the brand name it is sold under). The list is available here.
Further still, Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog had clarified in a Press Conference on April 13 that “there is no question of using Remdesevir in home settings” and it is “Not to be procured from chemist shops.” This shows the Govt’s stance of keeping Remdesevir not only away from Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras but from all private chemist shops too.
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