Govt panel nod must for hospitals to access anti-Black Fungus drug

A key drug used in the treatment of Mucormycosis and whose demand has soared in recent weeks with a sharp increase in number of people contracting the rare fungal infection can be accessed by hospital

A key drug used in the treatment of Mucormycosis and whose demand has soared in recent weeks with a sharp increase in number of people contracting the rare fungal infection can be accessed by hospitals only with the approval of a government committee. All the manufacturers, clearing and forwarding agents (CFAs), stockists and distributors of Liposomal Amphotericin B injection 50 mg have to supply the drug available with them to the hospitals where such patients are admitted “only after recommendation of the government committee,” a directive from the Drugs Control Administration of Telangana government said. While previously too the drug was supplied only to hospitals or in other words not sold to patients over the counter, the latest directive is intended to streamline and ensure those with Black Fungus get access to it. It comes amid reports of black marketing of the drug. According to the DCA communication, the State government has constituted the committee, with Director Medical Education as the head, to ensure patients with post COVID complication of Mucormycosis get access to Liposomal Amphotericin B injection.