Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya. [Photo/ANI]
Black Fungus: 15 Lakh vials of Amphotericin-B will be available by next month, says Mansukh Mandaviya ANI | Updated: May 25, 2021 18:56 IST
By Amit Kumar
New Delhi [India], May 24 (ANI): Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday said that the government is putting in all efforts to ramp up the production of Amphotericin-B in the country as well as importing 7 lakh vials of the drug through Indian companies to fulfill the requirements for the high demand of the medicine caused by a sudden surge in black fungus cases.
Highlights
Amphotericin B is a rare drug used in the Black Fungus treatment
It is believed that nearly 7,000 people have been infected in India with the black fungus
Over 200 have lost their lives
NEW DELHI: With several states reporting an alarming rise in cases of black fungus or mucormycosis- a rare fungal infection – the demand for Amphotericin drug which is used for treating the disease has risen in recent times.
Why is Amphotericin B important?
Amphotericin B, a rare drug that is being produced in a limited quantity in the country, is used in the treatment of
black fungus or mucormycosis. It is not used for treating a minor fungal infection such as a yeast infection of the mouth, esophagus, or vagina. The drug is currently in a short supply and the Centre is taking adequate steps to ramp up its production and its availability to states where there is high demand for the drug.
Why Natco Pharma share zoomed 20% today
Presently six firms - BDR Pharma, Bharat Serums and Vaccines, Mylan, Sun Pharma, Cipla, and Life Care - are producing Amphotericin B
BusinessToday.In | May 24, 2021 | Updated 12:17 IST
Representative Image
Share of Natco Pharma rose 20 per cent to hit a fresh 52-week high of Rs 1188.95 in early tradeafter the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) gave its nod to the firm start manufacturing antifungal anti-fungal drug Amphotericin B liposomal injection. Its demand has increased in the wake of a surge in black fungus infections. Four other firms Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Gufic Biosciences and Lyca Pharmaceuticals have also received DCGI s permission to produce the injection.