Reasonable Remdesivir Distribution Policy Needed, Sensitize & Educate Public To Break COVID Chain: Gujarat High Court To State Govt

Hearing the suo motu proceedings initiated by it to take stock of the surge in COVID-19 cases in the state of Gujarat, the Gujarat High Court on Tuesday (20th April) asked the state Government to come up with Reasonable Remdesivir Distribution Policy. A Bench of Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Bhargav D Karia perused the affidavit-in-reply filed on behalf of the State respondents covering most of the issues flagged by the HC in its 15th April Order (more details about the affidavit-in-reply/hearing could be read here). COVID19 : Gujarat High Court Directs State To Submit District Wise Split-Up Of Testing Facilities, Respond To Concerns That Patients In Private Vehicles Are Denied Admission In Hospitals Importantly, the Government Pleader assured the Court that the State would leave no stone unturned and do its best in order to serve the people of the State in these difficult times in the best possible manner. The issue concerning procurement, supply, and distribution of Remdesivir injection The Court flagged concerns regarding the procurement, supply and distribution of Remdesivir injection apart from the protocol of its use, application, and administration. The State submitted before the Court that there was a shortage vis-a-vis the demand and that, despite the best efforts being made by the State, Remdesivir injection was still in short supply. The state further submitted that the available Remdesivir injection with the State was first administered to: - The patients on ventilators in the hospitals of the Corporation or Government hospitals, then,To the patients on ventilators in the Designated Covid Hospitals, then, To the patients admitted on ICU in Government / Corporation hospitals and then, To the similar patients in the Covid Designated Hospitals and thereafter, To the patients on oxygen beds subject to their prognosis and,If there still remains further stock with the Government/Corporation, it would be distributed to the private hospitals, Nursing Homes/Home Care on doctor's prescription considering the condition of the patient. However, the Court noted that if the Government does not have any surplus or if it is unable to cater to its own in-house demand, it cannot provide it to the private sector. It was also the case of the Government that Remdesivir injections were available with the stockists of the manufacturers from where private hospitals and individuals could always purchase. To this submission of the State, the Court said, "The policy should be of the Government and should not be left at the discretion of the individual Corporation and District Collectors regarding distribution of Remdesivir injection when the same is in short supply." Importantly, the Court said, "There has to be a reasonable policy of the State taking into consideration the overall factors and to ensure that all patients falling in the same category should be first administered or provided with Remdesivir injection i.e. the patients on ventilators whether they are in private or Government set up / facility, then it should be provided to patients on ICUs in private or Government set up / facility and thereafter to patients on oxygen depending upon the period they have been on oxygen and thereafter other patients who are advised Remdesivir. The condition of the patient should be the criteria for providing Remdesivir injection and not whether he/she is admitted in private or Government facility." Further, the Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Gujarat, were directed to convene an emergent meeting of all stake-holders and take an appropriate policy decision which should run throughout the State. "It should be made applicable for the entire State and should not be left at the discretion of Municipal Commissioners or Collectors as the case may be", added the Court. The Court also observed that the distribution may be at the level of the Commissioner or Collector, but the policy to be followed must be framed by the State. Court's other observations In view of the rising number of Covid patients, the Court noted that the availability of Covid beds in the hospitals whether Government, Corporation or Designated private, was not enough to accommodate every person who is tested positive, however the Court did observe that a large number of Covid infected persons are being treated at home. Insofar as supply of oxygen was concerned, the Court referred to the data provided by the State in its affidavit-in-reply to note that there was no shortage of oxygen for medical use and even though there is any shortage, the same is being actively augmented to cater to the additional demands. In addition to the above, the Court asked the State to respond to the following: - Registration of patients through Ambulance 108, The time being taken in picking up a patient ...

Reasonable Remdesivir Distribution Policy Needed, Sensitize & Educate Public To Break COVID Chain: Gujarat High Court To State Govt

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Reasonable Remdesivir Distribution Policy Needed, Sensitize & Educate Public To Break COVID Chain: Gujarat High Court To State Govt

Sparsh Upadhyay

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