Home Secretary
Government of India
North Block
New Delhi
D.O. No. 40-6/2020-DM -I (A)
22nd April, 2021
Dear Chief Secretary,
Please refer to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Order No. 40-3/2020- DM-I(A) dated 23.03.2021 whereby Guidelines for effective control of COVID-19 have been issued. As per these Guidelines, there shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods as also reiterated in my D.O. letter of even number dated 23.03.2021.
2. In the recent past, there is a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in the country along with high positivity rate. In order to break the chain of transmission and curb the spread of COVID-19, various States/UTs have imposed additional restrictions on certain activities, including weekend and night curfews etc.
3. I would like to bring it to your kind notice that a Monitoring mechanism has been set up under Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers through National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA) and Drug Controller General of India for monitoring and coordinating the supply of COVID-19 drugs on a daily basis, with Pharmaceutical Associations, manufacturing companies and State Governments.
4. The supply of Remdesivir injection and imported drug Toclizumab is under severe constraint due to sharp increase in demand. Several steps have been taken to augment the production capacity of the seven licensed manufacturers of Remdesivir injection in the country from 38.80 lakh units per month to 74 lakh units per month by early May 2021. Further, MoHFW and DoP, vide their D.O. letter dated 21.04.2021, have communicated to States and UTs, an interim allocation (for the period from 21st April to 30th April, 2021) for supply of Remdesivir by all the licensed domestic manufacturers.
5. In view of the above, I would urge you to issue necessary instructions to all the authorities concerned to take all measures for compliance with the above allocation and subsequent allocations to be made by MoHFW and DoP in a smooth and timely manner to ensure seamless supply and transport of Remdesivir to States/UTs concerned. Any disruption or hindrance to the movement of this drug, may have unintended adverse effect to the nation’s fight against COVID- 19. I would also request you to personally monitor the supply of essential medicines required under COVID Treatment Protocol in your State and appoint Nodal Officers who will be responsible for un-restricted and timely movement of Remdesivir within their State as per allocation made by MoHFW.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
(Ajay Bhalla)
Chief Secretaries of All States
