Daily Times

The havoc wreaked by the pandemic COVID-19 continues to take a heavy toll. More than 6.5 million cases worldwide have been reported while the death toll continues to mount, having crossed 385,500, the most brilliant scientists are burning the midnight oil to find a cure and vaccine for the coronavirus. In this grim milieu, of all the drugs tried against Covid-19, only one – Remdesivir – has shown signs of effectiveness. Unfortunately, that too is in short supply.

While the foreboding scenario prevails, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. It has been brought out that in the coming weeks, Pakistan is destined to play an important role in the production of a lifesaving drug to combat COVID-19.

The US-based pharmaceutical firm that manufactures it has entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Pakistan’s Ferozsons Laboratories along with four Indian companies to manufacture and distribute Remdesivir to 127 nations to fight the pandemic. The countries are nearly all low-income and lower-middle income ones that are threatened by the disease yet lack the basic healthcare infrastructure to support its citizens.

Gilead Sciences, the firm that manufactures Remdesivir, has entered into formal agreements with Pakistan’s Ferozson’s Laboratories and the four Indian firms, which will be allowed to distribute Remdesivir to include regional ones like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka along with various others in Central and South East Asia, Africa and South America.

Under the licensing agreements, the companies have a right to receive a technology transfer of Remdesivir to enable them to scale up production more quickly. The licensees also set their own prices for the generic product they produce.

According to a press release by Gilead Sciences, the licenses are royalty-free until the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the public health emergency or a vaccine was approved.

Gilead Sciences had earlier warned that there was only enough Remdesivir in the world for about 200,000 patients. While the drug isn’t a certain cure for Covid-19, rigorous trials have shown it can shorten a patient’s hospital stay by about four days, freeing up vital medical capacity for others suffering from the disease.

With support of International community, our Pharma companies can manufacture different drugs via technology transfer. Previously Chinese Pharma companies had also offered Pak with technology transfer of their research.

Simultaneously, there are numerous steps that can be adopted to combat the deadly pandemic COVID-19. These include: Constant strengthening of health system, quality observance of quarantine SOPs and availability of PPEs / testing facilities will work against rise in Paramedic staff and lab capacity optimization for testing for the disease at the provincial level. There is a dire need for trained paramedical staff including technical operators for ventilators be provided in health care facilities/ quarantine centers. In Pakistan’s rural set up, lumberdars & other rural stakeholders should be gathered at UC level for effective awareness and following SOPs through District administration and political/ religious leaders.

Opinion builders should be approached for disseminating the vital steps to stem the rot set in by COVID-19. Engagement with religious leaders / clergies at provincial and federal levels for developing consensus on maintaining social distancing in places of worship will go a long way in allaying the deadly effects of the pandemic. Consensus must be built at the federal level to radiate effects for uniform implementation, facilitating execution at provincial level.

Uniform policy of smart opening days in a week coupled with few safe days imposing strict lockdown – Optimum utilization of NRSP and Tiger force may be considered

Like elsewhere in the world, masses, tired of being restricted to their homes are demanding an end to the lockdown. Graduated opening of domestic travel amidst protracted pandemic with safety protocols / plans will help in alleviating the suffering. District Administrations should develop comprehensive plans amid relaxation duly incorporating unions, while stringent implementation of social distancing SOPs must be ensured. Non-testing despite having capacity be checked by respective health departments. Provinces should focus more intently on identified hotspots to optimally utilize lab capacity. Simultaneously, liaison/ coordination by all provinces with Private sector hospitals may be supportive to overcome capacity constraints of the Govt institutions.

Uniform policy of smart opening days in a week coupled with few safe days imposing strict lockdown – Optimum utilization of NRSP and Tiger force may be considered.

Amidst the raging storm of COVID-19, some negative elements like the PTM have an agenda to spread COVID in erstwhile FATA while blaming state institutions for deliberately using COVID infected patients to spread pandemic in the region. PTM social media accounts have already started propagating fake conspiracies and are blaming State for allowing patients coming from Iran to DI Khan. Key elements of PTM are being targeted by HIAs and some PTM elements are deliberately spreading COVID in the region. Likes of Mohsin Dawar are still participating in Parliament sessions and many politicians are being exposed.

Pakistan has already recorded over 85,000 cases of COVID-19 with more than 1800 fatalities. The production of Remdesivir and adoption of the recommended steps can help alleviate the danger of the novel coronavirus spreading further.

The writer is a retired Group Captain of PAF. He is a columnist, analyst and TV talk show host, who has authored six books on current affairs, including three on China