India axes exports of Gilead Sciences' remdesivir, plots boost to local production as COVID cases mount: reports

India axes exports of Gilead Sciences' remdesivir, plots boost to local production as COVID cases mount: reports

Source: 
Fierce Pharma
snippet: 

India is one of the world's biggest manufacturers of drugs and vaccines, but that hasn't made it immune to COVID-19 supply instability. Now, the government is locking up at least one treatment for itself.

As COVID-19 cases mount—and demand for treatments spikes—India has banned exports of Gilead Sciences’ pandemic antiviral remdesivir, Bloomberg reports, citing a statement put out by the country’s health ministry Sunday. The news comes as local pharmas seek an emergency nod from the country's drug regulator to manufacture remdesivir off-license, according to Times of India.