Covid-19 second wave: PM to interact with pharma majors this evening

The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and representatives of major pharma companies assumes significance amid the growing concerns of shortage of remdesivir which is used for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. hospitalisation.

New Delhi: Amid abrupt rise in Covid-19 cases across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually meet representatives of major pharma companies at 6 pm on Monday.

The meeting assumes significance against the backdrop of shortage of remdesivir which is the first and the only anti-viral drug fully approved by the USFDA for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalisation.

The Prime Minister chaired a high-level meeting on Saturday to review the status of preparedness to handle the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and to discuss various aspects relating to medicines, oxygen, ventilators and vaccination.

In the meeting, “PM spoke about the need to utilize the full potential of India’s pharmaceutical industry to meet the rising demand of various medicines. He reviewed the status of supply of Remdesivir and other medicines,” a Government release said.

India's total tally of COVID-19 cases crossed the 1.50 crore mark on Monday with a record single-day rise of 2,73,810 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases surpassed the 19-lakh mark.

The total tally of COVID-19 cases has mounted to 1,50,61,919 and the death toll increased to 1,78,769 with a record 1,619 daily new fatalities.

Registering a steady increase for the 40th day in a row, the active cases have increased to 19,29,329 comprising 12.81 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has dropped to 86 per cent.

(With Agency Inputs)