Keep affordability factor of drugs, vaccines in mind: Vardhan to scientists

Science and Techlogy Minister Harsh Vardhan Monday urged scientists to keep in mind affordability factor of various drugs, vaccines and medical equipment amidst country's fight against COVID-19 pandemic.Vardhan, who is also Minister for Health and Family Welfare, reviewed initiatives taken by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) towards mitigation of COVID-19, a government statement said.

minster was informed that a major development from CSIR efforts is that synsis of Key Starting Materials (KSMs) on kilo scale and gram scale of Remdesivir, a drug recently approved by US-FDA for emergency use in COVID-19 patients, has been achieved by CSIR-IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Techlogy).Techlogy demonstration to Indian industry is going on, statement said, adding CSIR is working with private sector for clinical trial and launch of Favipiravir, ar promising drug for COVID-19, in India.

" affordability factor of various drugs, vaccines and or diagstic & rapeutic equipment should also be considered," statement said, quoting Vardhan.

 

CSIR has devised five verticals: Digital and Molecular Surveillance; Rapid and Ecomical Diagstics; New Drugs /Repurposing of Drugs Vaccines; Hospital Assistive Devices and PPEs; Supply Chain and Logistics Support Systems in order to develop requisite Science & Techlogy based solutions to combat COVID-19.Significant developments in each of five verticals were presented by Vertical Coordinating Directors during review."Scientific departments should develop enhanced synergy and good quality coordination for quicker and better results. All Scientists and institutions should prioritise requirements of time and also contribute in finding quick and deployable solutions," statement quoting Vardhan said.

He also appreciated CSIR for submitting 53 sequences of COVID-19 gemes to Global Coronavirus Geme Database, Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID).Vardhan also released Guidelines for Public Transport and Feeder Modes considering social distancing rms developed by CSIR-CRRI (Central Road Research Institute).