Mucormycosis scare: Government working to increase production of anti-fungal drug
The government is engaging with the drug manufacturers to ramp up the production of an anti-fungal drug used for the treatment of mucormycosis, the Chemicals and Fertilizers Ministry said. With a spike in the cases of COVID-19 in the country, doctors have reported a rash of cases of rare black fungus infection among people who have either recovered or are recovering from COVID-19.
Amphotericin B medicine has seen a sudden surge in demand
The black fungus infection is caused by exposure to mucor mould and it affects the sinuses, the brain and the lungs and can be life-threatening. "A sudden increase in demand has been observed in some states for Amphotericin B which is being actively prescribed by the physicians to patients suffering from mucormycosis, a post-COVID-19 complication," the ministry said in a statement.
Drug has been allocated to states/UTs based on expected supply
The supply position is expected to improve with extra imports of the drug and an increase in its production domestically. "After reviewing the stock position with the manufacturers/importers, and the demand pattern of Amphotericin B, the Department of Pharma, on 11 May 2021, allocated the drug amongst the States/UTs based on expected supply available from May 10 to May 31," the statement said.
States to ensure equitable distribution of drug
States have been requested to put in place a mechanism for equitable distribution of supplies amongst government and private hospitals and health care agencies and publicize in the state the Point of Contact for private and government hospitals to obtain the drug from the allocation, the statement said. "The arrangements for supply will be monitored by the National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA)," it added.
Who is most vulnerable to mucormycosis?
Mucormycosis is caused by a group of molds known as mucormycetes. Though these fungi are naturally present in the environment, they typically affect people who are on medication for certain health problems, which essentially weakens their immune system. A person's sinuses or lungs can get affected after they inhale fungal spores from the air. The fungi can also enter the body through open wounds/cuts.
