People hire agents to stand in queue for Remdesivir

People hire agents to stand in queue for Remdesivir

Komal Gautham@timesgroup.com

Chennai:01.05.2021

As queues get longer at Remdesivir counters at Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital, people are paying agents and locals about ₹500- ₹1,500 a day to stand in for them to get the drug.

Nanganallu resident Muthulingam R*, who tested positive for Covid-19 along with five other family members, said they had no choice but pay a local and send all the proof with him to buy the drug. “One of us is admitted to hospital and requires this drug. None of us can go and stand in line for the whole day.”

V Rama Rao, a social activist, said he got about five calls on Friday alone from elderly people who wanted the drug but couldn’t get it. “So, we are seeking help of some volunteers and known persons to stand in queue for us in return for some money.”

At the two counters at KMCH, about 500 people are able to get the drug daily, but more than 2,000 people come. The lines begin at 5am and the counters open only at 9am. “Every day at 5pm, there is a struggle to close the counters as public are enraged; many threaten road rokos,” said a public health official.

A directorate of medical services official said hospitals were told to only prescribe the drug based on WHO guidelines. “A panic has been created due to shortage of supply. The government has placed orders for about 4.5 lakh vials. Many doctors are prescribing it out of fear so that the patients don’t question them,” said the official.

Rama Rao said one of his friends waited in the queue from 8am to 5pm but returned empty handed. “Two in the four-member family have mild symptoms, while the others have tested positive and require the drug. There is nobody to stand in the queue. The government should distribute the drug only to government approved hospitals and empanelled hospitals to ensure patients don’t struggle.”

Senior public health officials said authorities were using it judiciously at government hospitals. “We have instructed private hospitals to use it only when required,” said an official.

(*name changed)

THREAT IN ITSELF: People waiting outside Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital to buy Remdesivir from the counters set up by the state

Two in a friend’s four-member family have mild symptoms, while the others have tested positive and require the drug. There is nobody to stand in the queue

RAMA RAO | Chennai resident