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Karnataka, which is battling the second wave of COVID-19, has put in place an SMS-based Remdesivir allocation and information system, aimed at curbing its black marketing and misuse.

“In order to bring transparency in the allocation of Remdesivir, a tech-driven system has been developed and now the patient will get a SMS informing which hospital is provided the medicine against the SRF ID,” Health Minister K Sudhakar said on Sunday.

“In case if the #Remdesivir is allocated against the SRF ID & the hospital has not provided it to the patient, a facility is provided in the same link to report it to the government. This will help govt in curbing black marketing & misuse of Remdesivir,” he said in a tweet.

Citizens can also check information on Remdesivir using the link: https://covidwar.karnataka.gov.in/service2.

Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan in a tweet said, “In case if Remdesivir is allocated against the SRF ID and hospital has not provided it to patients, you can report it to the government. This is largely to reduce misuse of the drug.”

Remdesivir is in great demand for the treatment of COVID-19 infected patients at hospitals.

Aimed at ensuring optimal use of Remdesivir, the state government had recently even issued guidelines directing all healthcare facilities in the state to follow it in letter and spirit.

It had also called for each healthcare facility to form a Remdesivir Audit Committee and submit a report on the use to the expert committees constituted.

On Saturday, the ninth “Oxygen Express” carrying 120 tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) in six containers has reached the city this morning, South Western Railway said on Sunday.

So far, Karnataka has received 1,062.14 tonnes of LMO by rail.

(Disclaimer: Additional background information has been added to this PTI copy for context)