As the world is fighting with the worst man-manipulated virus another life-threatening fungal infection is taking a grip among those who have been recovered from the COVID-19 virus.
Apart from COVID-19 complications, the medical fraternity is also concerned about another fungus infection ‘Mucormycosis’ commonly known as the black fungus is being reported among COVID-19 patients and survivors.
With an increase in the number of cases, there is also a sudden increase in demand for the medicines ‘Amphotericin B’ which is being prescribed to treat patients suffering from Mucormycosis.
Adding to the woes the high cost of the life-saving drug is another problem for the poor section of the society as the price of the medicine is about Rs 7000 per dose. With an acute shortage and soaring demand for the drug, it has left the administration in a worried state.
Citing the shortage of a meeting was conducted between medical experts, doctors, infection specialists, COVID task force members in which District Collector Ravindra Thakare assured smooth flow of medicine once the stock arrives.
He has also asked hospitals to compile the data of district wide of patients suffering from Mucormycosis at each hospital and their requirement to prepare for the distribution of the medicine.
Considering with acute shortage of this drug Food and Drug Administration has given approval to Genetek Life Sciences facility in Wardha to manufacture ‘Amphotericin B’ injection for Black Fungus infection (Mukar Mycosis) informed Office of Nitin Gadkari through a tweet.
The production will start in Wardha in 15 days and the injection which usually cost to Rs 7,000 will be available for Rs 1200.
“Right now the cost of an injection is seven thousand rupees and about forty to fifty injections are being given to a patient, due to which people are not getting it easily. This injection made in Wardha will be available for 1200 rupees. Twenty thousand injections per day will be prepared in genetic life sciences†tweet reads.
As the production will begin this will bridge the gap caused by the shortage of medicines and makes these life-saving drugs available to people and provide some relief to the administrations and patients suffering from the fungus.
Mucormycosis spores that are commonly found in soil, air, and even in food can affect the face, infecting nose, orbit of eye, or brain, which can cause even vision loss. It can also spread to the lungs.
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has already announced that Mucormycosis patients in the state will be covered under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana since the medicines required to combat the fungal infection are expensive.
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