COVID-19 Impact on Bevacizumab in Healthcare Industry
In the city of Wuhan, China the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak is originated. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread across the globe, with large number of cases having been reported worldwide. The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is not only creating health crisis but also it is unfavorably affecting on healthcare, economies and pharmaceutical sector as well as at their core.
As COVID-19 is the infectious disease, its spread is endless. It have causes a nationwide outbreak as well as public health crisis. Cancer treatment and therapies drugs manufacturing companies have also faced some difficulties in manufacturing and distribution of the drugs and medication due to locked down, supply chain and social distancing restrictions.
In some recent studies, it was stated that Bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF drug, approved by the FDA and widely used in clinical oncotherapy, is a promising drug for ALI/ARDS in COVID-19 through suppression of pulmonary edema which have increased its demand in the market and also increasing cancer patients have also driven the market demand and supply.
PRICE IMPACT
The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has an enormous impact on the global economy market. The demand for cancer treatment products has increased along with its prices in the treatment of COVID.
In addition, the sum of research and development and marketing, selling, and administrative expenses have been increased in 2020, which is driven primarily by the development expenses for COVID-19 therapies.
For instance,
Bevacizumab plus standard care markedly improves the oxygen ratios in COVID 19 patients and shows improvement in oxygen-support status, patients were discharged, and none of the patients have shown worsen oxygen-support status nor die.
Also, the demand for cancer treatment products will be increased, and the products are upgraded by top importer countries like U.S., which have increased the sales and prices of the bevacizumab.
For instance,
The drug Avast in (bevacizumab) has been increased to $842 for a supply of 4 milliliters dose in 2020.
Due to the increase in demand, the use of bevacizumab in the COVID treatment and increase in production and manufacturing expenses have contributed to product prices.

IMPACT ON SUPPLY CHAIN
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed many organizations’ business environment; several problems, including export and travel ban by some producing countries and lockdowns that have caused producers to (temporarily) shut down, have disrupted supply access.
Difficulties or delays in manufacturing, sales, or marketing; supply disruptions, shortages, or stock-outs at our facilities; and legal or regulatory actions all are caused due to the COVID 19 pandemic. But it does not affect the sales and supply of the drug bevacizumab that much because of the rise in new diagnoses or cancer and the efficiency of the drug in treating the COVID patients. These are some of the reasons which have maintained the supply of the drug throughout the year
With the rise in demand and supply of the drugs, many manufacturing companies have launched their new products, which have increased their sales.
For instance-
• The sales of the drug MVASI (bevacizumab) from the manufacturing company Amgen Inc. have increased more than 20% in the U.S., which is USD 121 million in 2019 to USD 650 million in 2020 and for the rest of the world, drug sales increased from USD 6 million in 2019 to USD 142 million in 2020. This increase in the supply of the drug is with the increasing treatment for cancer.
• Similarly, the sales of the global segment generics, which include biologics drugs such as bevacizumab of the company Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd, have also been increased from USD 1,858.27 million in 2019 to USD 2,079.96 million in 2020. This increase in sales is due to the increase in healthcare and Research & Development due to COVID 19.

IMPACT ON DEMAND
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a SARS-CoV-2 virus, while a large population is affected by this COVID-19 virus. Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is an ongoing worldwide pandemic; nearly all the countries have taken initiative action under locked down and social distancing restriction.
Reduction in cancer treatment across the globe has affected the demand for cancer treatment and their drugs like bevacizumab, especially in the first quarter, but after the second quarter of 2020, the demand for the drug has increased because of its Efficacy and tolerability of in patients with severe COVID-19.
For Instance-
Recent evidence revealed higher blood Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) levels in COVID-19 patients compared with healthy controls. VEGF is considered the most potent vascular permeability inducer. Numerous studies have revealed that VEGF was a key factor and a potential therapeutic target in ALI and ARDS. Bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF drug, approved by the FDA on February 26, 2004, and widely used in clinical oncotherapy, is a promising drug for ALI/ARDS in COVID-19 through suppression of pulmonary edema.
Also, the increase in cancer patients and the rise in the demand for the treatment of various types of drugs have propelled the market demand and sales of major market players.
For instance,
• There is an increase in the sales of biosimilar drugs which includes bevacizumab, for major market players. For instance, the manufacturing company Pfizer Inc., the sales of biosimilar segment is increased from USD 1,527 million to USD 911 million with the increase in demand for the drugs in COVID patients and the cancer treatment.

STRATEGIC DECISIONS FOR MANUFACTURERS
A large population is affected by this COVID-19 virus, and its spread is expanding worldwide for the last few months. To deal with the COVID-19 outbreak challenges, many bevacizumab and biosimilar market players are creating new strategies. The company is now opting for digital media such as telecommunication, mobile applications, webinars, and other digital media to support patient requirements to tackle the pandemic situation and increase the company sales with the increasing demand and growth.
Moreover, to accomplish the market demand, small market players are utilizing the partnership agreement strategy. It is predicted that these strategies are anticipated to escalate up the company revenue and its growth in the forecasted period. They have launched new products and formed strategic alliances with each other to carry on the supply during the pandemic.
For instance-
• In 2020, Amgen Inc. had advanced their innovative pipeline, successfully integrated MVASI, acquired in November 2019, a biosimilar to Avast in (bevacizumab), and has advanced their international expansion continued to provide an uninterrupted supply of their medicines globally through the COVID-19 pandemic
• In May 2020, the Food and Drug Administration approved atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab (TECENTRIQ and AVASTIN, Genentech Inc.) for patients with unrespectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma who have not received prior systemic therapy

CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic has a positive impact on the global bevacizumab market with the increase in the price, supply, and demand of the bevacizumab. However, in the crisis call, pharmaceutical market players, government bodies, and healthcare organizations work closely with healthcare professionals, customers, and patients for the betterment of public health and to fulfill the demand.
However, companies and government bodies exclusively concentrate on how they can make the most effective and best contribution to control the spread of the virus and save lives. They are also ramping up the production of essential medication to a new level and ensure that speed doesn’t affect or destroy the quality of products.