This story is from July 8, 2020

Karnataka: Nanjangud factory could soon produce remdesivir

If the state government has its way, Jubilant Generics, the Nanjangud pharmaceutical company, which was the epicentre of a cluster outbreak in Mysuru district, could produce antiviral drug remdesivir, which is used to treat Covid-19.
Karnataka: Nanjangud factory could soon produce remdesivir
A constable tries to control motorists from entering and leaving a containment zone near SJP Road on Tuesday
BENGALURU: If the state government has its way, Jubilant Generics, the Nanjangud pharmaceutical company, which was the epicentre of a cluster outbreak in Mysuru district, could produce antiviral drug remdesivir, which is used to treat Covid-19.
“The company has the licence [to produce the drug],” medical education minister K Sudhakar said on Tuesday.
“I have written to the Centre seeking approval for production of the drug.” He said a committee has been formed in Karnataka only to look into drugs used across the world for Covid-19 treatment.
The minister also said officials on the frontlines in the battle against the pandemic for the last 120 days have been complaining of fatigue. “We need volunteers who can work jointly with the government. We will launch an app soon where volunteers can register. NGOs like Lions club, Rotary Club and RSS will be roped in,” said the minister.
Meanwhile, since a time-limit was not set to regularise their services at a meeting with ministers on Tuesday, 507 MBBS doctors on contract have decided to go ahead with their plan to skip work from Wednesday.
“Barring those of us working in emergency wings and Covid facilities, most of us will come to Bengaluru to request the government to set a time-frame to recruit us directly,” Karnataka Government Contract Doctors Association said late on Tuesday.
A 57-year-old nurse working with KC General Hospital in Bengaluru died on Tuesday. The male nurse was a suspected Covid-19 patient and was admitted to a hospital in Chitradurga. “His death is a huge loss to the institution. He worked in both Covid and non-Covid wings of the hospital. He had suffered from breathlessness. His report for Covid was negative three days ago. We are not sure if he was tested again,” said KC General hospital authorities.
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