State government launches online system to keep a check on the stock of Remdesivir

Bengaluru: The government has now come up with a system that informs patients via SMS that a vial has been issued against him/her and also permits him/her to warn the state if they don’t get the dose. This has been done to ensure smooth supply and to prevent black marketing of Remdesivir.

The online system was developed by the specially created war room and launched on May 7. It has multiple checks and balances. Even though manual requests are still accepted, they will stop from Friday.

“The same SMS provides a link to give feedback and also lodge a complaint if the doctor or hospital doesn’t administer the dose. The system ensures that there are no unscientific claims, faking, hoarding and increases overall accountability,” said Nishchith VD, assistant nodal officer of the war room.

Out of the 3,269 recognised hospitals in the state, 1,276 have already adopted the online process. On average, between 210 to 300 hospitals have been placing indents. For instance, on Monday, 214 hospitals placed indents for 7,182 vials, whereas, it was 278 and 10,292 on Tuesday. As of Wednesday, 286 hospitals had placed indents for 9,960 vials. It is estimated that this would surpass 11,000 by the end of the day.

Presently, the drug is being issued on a pro-rata basis and not on actual demand. An official said, “Once supply stabilises, hospitals will get actual numbers.”

“Hospitals cannot claim the drug without linking it to a patient. Each patient can be issued only six vials and since there’s a timeline to administer the drug as per treatment protocol, hospitals won’t be able to store it. No patient who has been admitted for more than 15 days can be used to claim the drug”, said Nishchith.

Hospitals are to enter the SRF number of the patient and details such as name, address, phone number, age and gender of the patient automatically come up. Nishchith said, “With all this data, the indent goes to the jurisdictional assistant drug controller and from there to HQ.” A click on the issue button supplies the drug.

The system also has provision for those who do not have an SRF ID- SARI cases – in which the hospital can claim using CT scan report and CT score. He said, “Hospitals have been mandated to maintain records at pharmacies as we plan to conduct audits later.”