DHAKA: Remdisivir, the drug which is proved to be effective in treating COVID-19 patients, has been produced in Bangladesh.

After completion of all production process, Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Limited (SK+F) has prepared to start marketing the new drug.

The brand name for Remdesivir manufactured by Eskayef is ‘Remivir’.

Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Limited Director (Marketing and Sales) Dr. Mujahidul Islam confirmed the matter to Banglanews on Friday night.

The drug samples will be submitted to the National Control Laboratory (NCL) of the Department of Drug Administration on Sunday (May 10), he said. 

Remivir will come to market in a few days if they approve, he added.

Dr. Mujahidul Islam also said: “The retail price would be kept at Tk. 5,500. This medicine will not be available in any local pharmacy. The drugs will be given directly to the government-designated hospitals for Covid-19 patients. So patients will be given the drugs as per the instructions of the doctor. However, those, who are taking treatment from outside, do not need it.”

Remdesivir, a drug developed by Gilead Sciences in the US, has grabbed attention as one of the most promising treatments for Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus that has killed more than 250,000 people.

It got the approval of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a drug against coronavirus last week.

BDST: 1241 HRS, May 9, 2020
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