Shortage of mucormycosis drugs to continue

Despite Kerala’s request, northern States get priority

Shortage of amphotericin B and liposomal amphotericin B, the medicines used to treat patients with mucormycosis symptoms, is likely to continue for some more days in the State though the authorities are hopeful of procuring more doses very soon. Liposomal amphotericin B is given as an injection to infected persons who are kidney patients and amphotericin B is for those without renal problems. Kidney patients need continuous medication and the drug is costlier too with the price per vial going up to ₹7,000. “The Centre has directed pharma firms to ramp up production. But the companies are taking time to do it as their capacity had been low. Also, a batch of new drugs take at least 25 days to reach the market after the mandatory quality assurance tests. These are causing the current shortage,” a senior official in the State Drugs Control Department said on Wednesday.