Centre waves off custom duty on Remisivir injection, CII also fixes new prices of Covishield
New Delhi: Following the increased demand for Remdesivir injection which has been found to be effective in treating Covid patients, Central Government has waived off customs duty on this vital medicine.
Union Minister for Chemical and Fertilizers DV Sadanand Gowda who made this announcement on Wednesday, said that the government made this decision after realizing the acute need of this infection during the Covid pandemic.
He said that it will help in increasing the availability of Remdesivir infection in the country.
Remdesivir is considered as one of the best and effective medicines used in treating acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Meanwhile the Serum Institute of India has announced the price of its Covid vaccine, Covishield a few days before the government launching vaccination drive even for the people above 18 years.
The government recently announced that the Covid vaccine will given to all persons who are above 18 years of age, as earlier, the age limit was set only for 45 years and above.
The company said that the vaccine has been prices at Rs 400 per shot to state governments while Rs 600 has been charged for private hospitals.
The statement said that while 50 % of the production would be reserved for Central Government remaining vaccines will be for reserved for the state governments and the private hospitals.
Defending the price cap, the company said that compared for vaccines available in US, Russia and China, the Indian vaccine is far cheaper.
The company meanwhile has hailed the decision of the government of lowering the vaccination age from 45 to 18 years.
