![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-77313878,imgsize-188052,width-400,resizemode-4\/77313878.jpg\" "\\"Representative")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\nRepresentative image<\/span><\/p>\n KOLKATA: Supply of favipiravir \u2014 the drug that the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) identified for repurposing for Covid-19 patients \u2014 is likely to increase substantially when the first consignment from a new manufacturer reaches Kolkata in next 10 days. The price of the medicine also dropped significantly on Saturday, making it more affordable for patients.
Pharmacists across the city have been facing a shortage of favipiravir, which is believed to be effective on patients with mild symptoms, since it was identified for repurposing by the CSIR. In April, CSIR found favipiravir as one of the \u201cmost promising drugs\u201d. Developed by a Japanese company, the drug was so far being sold by a single entity.
\u201cIt took some time for the doctors to go through the details and start prescribing it. There has been a shortage since then,\u201d said Somnath Ghosh, director of Metro Pharma. Ghosh, who is a distributor of favipiravir in Kolkata, said each day he needs 50 strips and the demand is always surpassing the supply.
Unlike other repurposed drugs for Covid-19 \u2014 remdesivir and tocilizumab \u2014 favipiravir is sold through normal retail channel. \u201cA patient has to take nearly 100 tablets following doctor\u2019s prescription. This created a huge demand while supply was not adequate,\u201d said Gautam Jatia, CEO of Frank Ross Pharmacy. Moreover, the initial cost of the course of medicine was more than Rs 10,000.
Gradually, the price came down from Rs 3,500 a strip to Rs 2,210 a strip, but the supply side did not improve. \u201cIt is likely to improve after another company, which has started manufacturing, will send its first consignment in next 10 days,\u201d said Sajal Ganguly, secretary of the Bengal Chemists and Druggists Association. \u201cAnother Hyderabadbased company, which got a nod from the Drugs Controller General of India, has started manufacturing,\u201d Ganguly added.
Doctors, however, are split on their opinion on favipiravir\u2019s efficacy. \u201cThere is no scientific evidence that proves favipiravir works for Covid-19 patients. The health ministry in Japan has found it to be not as effective in severe patients. So, its efficacy still needs to be assessed,\u201d said Sumit Sengupta, consultant respiratory physician with AMRI Hospital. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n