People across Tamil Nadu flock to Chennai for Remdesivir – Times of India

CHENNAI: Relatives of Covid-19 patients from across Tamil Nadu continued to crowd Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) Hospital in Chennai on Tuesday for Remdesivir.
The queue at the hospital counters where 2,800 vials were sold in the last two days got longer as the day progressed. Though tokens were provided to those who couldn’t get it drug till 6pm, some refused to leave.
Rajakumar, brother of a patient from Cuddalore, said he had waited for more than 8 hours. “It is unfair they are asking us to come back tomorrow. What will I tell my brother who is in ICU?”
Late in the evening, police dispersed the crowd with the promise that the drug would be available the next morning.
With even private hospitals in major districts like Madurai, Trichy, Coimbatore, Salem and Vellore wanting similar counters set up, the Indian Medical Association wrote to the government on Wednesday.
“We are considering expanding it if sufficient supplies are received,” said Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) managing director P Umanath.
People waiting at KMC, however, claimed private hospitals had washed their hands.
Umanath said the intent was to send a signal to hoarders that they will not go unchallenged. “Our cost price is Rs 1,568 and we sell at the same rate.” In the last two weeks, people said they had to pay more than Rs 14,000 per vial.
A senior Directorate of Medical Education doctor said Remdesivir was necessary only in case of severe lung infection as per ICMR guidelines. Remdesivir was available for all patients at government hospitals, he added.