Black fungus drug Amphotericin B to be priced at Rs 1200 for each vial in India

Maharashtra-based Genetic Life Sciences on Thursday began manufacturing Amphotericin B Emulsion injections, used for treating mucormycosis or black fungus. 

Cases of mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, a serious infection, have been found in COVID-19 patients in various states.

Mucormycosis, commonly called black fungus, is a rare infection affecting those suffering from coronavirus in India.

The fungus that invades the brain is being increasingly seen in vulnerable patients in India as the health system continues to struggle amid the pandemic.

According to the Union Minister's office, the Amphotericin B Emulsion injections manufactured by the Genetic Life Sciences are priced at Rs 1,200 each.

"With efforts of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Genetic Life Sciences, Wardha has manufactured Amphotericin B Emulsion injections for treating Mucormycosis. It was being produced by only one company so far," Gadkari's office tweeted in Hindi.

"The distribution of the vials will commence from Monday at Rs 1,200 each, Currently, the vials are being sold at Rs 7,000," the tweet further read.

Eleven states and Union Terroritories that declared mucormycosis as an epidemic (under Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897) in the country reported an acute shortage of Amphotericin-B that is an anti-fungal drug used to treat the ubiquitous fungus.

Delhi, Bihar, Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Telangana notified mucormycosis as an epidemic.

The Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday said that additional 29,250 vials of Amphotericin B, were allocated to states and Union Territories, based on number of patients under treatment.

Earlier, additional 19,420 vials of Amphotericin-B were allocated on May 24 and 23,680 vials of the drug were supplied across the country on May 21, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers informed.

(With inputs from agencies)