Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high level meeting to review the availability and supply of oxygen and medicines yesterday. He was informed that the Government is actively monitoring the supply of drugs being used in the management of COVID as well Mucormycosis. Various Union Ministers also informed the Prime Minister that they are in regular touch with the manufacturers to enhance production and extend all help needed. Mr Modi was also informed about the current production and stock of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients for each such drug. The Prime Minister was also apprised that the production of all drugs including Remdesivir have been ramped up significantly in the last few weeks. Mr Modi said that India has a very vibrant Pharma sector and that the Government’s continued coordination with them will ensure proper availability of all medicines.
The Prime Minister also took stock of the oxygen availability and supply in the country. It was noted that the supply of oxygen is now more than three times the supply during the peak of the first wave. He was briefed about the operations of oxygen rail and sorties by Indian Air Force planes. Mr Modi was also informed about the status of procurement of Oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders and the status of Pressure Swing Adsorption, PSA plants being installed across the country.
The Prime Minister also remarked that states should be asked to operationalize ventilators in a time-bound manner and resolve technical and training issues with the help of the manufacturers