The CPI(M) polit bureau on Sunday urged the Government to break the patent monopoly and issue licence to counter the high pricing by the US company-owned Remdesvir, the antiviral drug for Covid-19.
In a statement, the CPI(M) said the Government must invoke Clause 92 of India’s Patent Act and issue licenses to Indian firms to produce the generic version of this drug at affordable prices.
“The price of Remdesivir in the US is $3,000 or Rs 2.25 lakhs, for a 5-day course. Five Indian companies are in negotiations for manufacturing Remdesivir under Gilead’s license.
After manufacturing in India, Remdesivir will be sold at a ‘concessional’ price of $400 or Rs 30,000-35,000 for the same 5-day course.
The cost of manufacturing Remdesivir for a full course - as worked out by experts—is less than $10 or Rs 750 in the US. And about Rs. 100 in India. Gilead, by virtue of its patent monopoly, is holding the world to ransom by asking a price that is hundreds of times its cost.
“The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has accelerated the approval for the use of Remdesivir in India for Covid-19 patients. But with the US buying up the entire stock of Gilead and the high cost due to its patent monopoly, Indian patients will either not get the drug, or if it is available, find the cost prohibitive,” said the CPI(M).
The polit bureau pointed out that as per Clause 92 of Patent Act, India has every right to issue a compulsory licence to manufacture the drug.