Treatment of Mucormycosis: Steps taken by Government to ensure drug availability

  • Government continuously engaged with the manufacturers to resolve their issues related to raw materials
  • MEA identified new sources of Amphotericin B/ Liposomal Amphotericin B injections and alternative drugs
  • Government continues to monitor manufacturing, import, supplies and availability of drugs used for treatment of Mucormycosis.
A sudden increase in the demand has been observed in some States for Amphotericin-B, which is being actively prescribed by the physicians to the patients suffering from Mucormycosis, which has been seen as a post COVID complication. Through active measures to augment production, and import and ensure equitable distribution, Government has been able to mobilise over 6.67 lakh vials of the Amphotericin B for patients in the states and UTs and Central Health Institutes, in addition to other drugs such as Amphotericin Deoxycholate and Posaconazole being used for treatment of this disease.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) along with inputs from CDSCO has been continuously assessing the availability of drugs for treating Mucormycosis - both through domestic manufacturing and import. Since early   May, 2021 the details of production, stock, supplies made and purchase orders were obtained from the manufacturers and their co-operation sought to overcome the gap between supply and demand. An inter-departmental meeting was held on 10th May, 2021 with Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)to take stock of the situation. A view emerged that allocation of limited stocks among the States/UTs would ensure that all States get a fair chance of accessing a share of the available supplies, till the supply demand gap is overcome. To ensure drug availability government is taking four-pronged steps

  • Production enhancement 
  • Import facilitation
  • Making allocation
  • Ensuring supply

On 7th June, 2021, MoHFW has circulated the advisory of the National Task Force on COVID-19 for treatment and management of Covid related Mucormycosis (CAM), which explains in detail, the manner and conditions under which various Mucormycosis drugs like Amphotericin B lipid complex, liposomal Amphotericin B, Amphotericin deoxycholate form, Posaconazole etc. are to be used. Department of Pharmaceuticals has also on 10th June, 2021 issued an advisory to the Health Secretaries of all State governments/UTs reiterating the need of ensuring judicious use of allocated drugs and efficient distribution within their State/UTs.

Government continues to closely monitor in contact with state governments and manufacturers, the production, import, supplies and availability of the drugs required for treatment of Mucormycosis.