Maharashtra health department said the state task force of doctors on Covid-19 has been asked to take a decision on the use of anti-inflammatory drug Tocilizumab in treatment of patients after a recent trial finding by the drug manufacturing company revealed it didn't reduce mortality or severity in patients with Covid-associated pneumonia. "When the company that manufactures the drug says it has not been found effective against Covid, I feel doctors and patients should not insist on it. We have asked the state task force, which is an expert panel of doctors who finalise treatment protocols in the state, to take a final decision on the use of Tocilizumab," Tope said. He added a detailed discussion on the issue was done at a review meeting held by CM Uddhav Thackeray on the outbreak. Tocilizumab is priced at over Rs 40,000 for a 400mg vial and is one of the most expensive drugs used in Covid treatment. On July 29, Swiss company Roche said its attempt to retool its rheumatoid arthritis drug Actemra (tocilizumab) to treat Covid patients has failed in a phase-III trial. Tocilizumab is given to prevent the cytokine storm - an overreaction of the immune system causing inflammation - in serious patients. The trial found the percentage of patients that died by week four was no different in those who got the drug than those who didn't.