Direct purchase of Actemra drug banned by Punjab government

On Tuesday, the Punjab government has announced to ban the direct purchase of Actemra drug, used for treating severely ill Covid-19 patients.

As per details, directives regarding the purchase of Actemra drug for corona affected patients have been issued by Punjab’s Health Department.

A letter from the Department of Health reads that many private hospitals in Punjab have started purchasing this Covid-19 medicine without the government’s permission. It is necessary for the hospitals to take approval from the healthcare’s secretary to buy this drug.

The directives have been issued to all the hospitals’ heads across the province by the Punjab Secretary Healthcare.

The previous month, Actemra was approved by the Punjab government to be used for treating severely affected Covid-19 patients, as death toll increased in the province.

This 400 mg injectable drug is given to patients with lung infections and an elevated amount of IL-6 in the blood.

Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin took the decision during a meeting.