Indoco Remedies launches 400mg tablets of Favipiravir in India

• Indoco Remedies, on September 26, launched its own version of generic Favipiravir under the brand name Fevindo.
  
• Favipiravir has proven to be an effective antiviral drug in the treatment of COVID-19.
  
• Several other companies have launched the generic versions of Favipiravir so far in India.
  
• The cheapest version is developed by Sun Pharmaceuticals, which charges ₹35 per tablet.
  

Indoco Remedies, on September 26, launched its own version of generic Favipiravir under the brand name ‘Fevindo’. Favipiravir has proven to be an effective antiviral drug in the treatment of COVID-19.

“The COVID-19 crisis has created vast disruption to life in India and all over the globe. As part of the pharma industry, we have been able to do our bit in prevention of Covid-19 with our brands Karvol Plus, ATM, Febrex Plus and Rexidin SRS Mouthwash. With the launch of FEVINDO, we are taking the next step from prevention to the treatment of Covid-19,”Aditi Kare Panandikar, Managing Director, Indoco Remedies said.

Indoco has decided to introduce 400mg tablets in India. Though, it is yet to reveal the price for it. Indoco says Fevindo will be available at all government approved COVID-care centres, and selected medical practitioners across the country.

Favipiravir was originally developed to treat novel influenza in Japan and was sold by different manufacturers under the name Avigan, Abigan and Fabiflu.

Several other companies have launched the generic versions of Favipiravir so far in India. The cheapest version is developed by Sun Pharmaceuticals, which charges ₹35 per tablet.


Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, on August 19, joined the list of companies which launched their own generic version of favipiravir in India. The company has priced ‘Avigan’ at ₹99 — a premium price when compared to other versions of the same drug. The whole course of the tablet is expected to cost over ₹12,000.

In August, two more Indian pharma companies — Sun Pharmaceuticals and Zendara Pharma — said they are manufacturing Favipiravir in the country to treat coronavirus. Glenmark was the first to launch the drug in India followed by Cipla.

Sun Pharmaceuticals on August 4 announced the launch of Favipiravir, under brand name FluGuard, at ₹35 per tablet for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of Covid-19 in India. The stocks of FluGuard will be available in the market from this week.

"We are launching FluGuard at an economical price to make the drug accessible to more and more patients, thereby reducing their financial burden. This is in line with our continuous efforts to support India's pandemic response," Sun Pharma said.

Hyderabad-based Zenara Pharma on August 5 announced that it has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to manufacture and sell Favipiravir tablets as a treatment option for patients with mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19.

The tablet, which will be sold under the brand name 'Favizen', is being manufactured at Zenara's US FDA approved state-of-the-art facility in Hyderabad.

Zara Pharma, a fully-owned subsidiary of Biophore India Pharmaceuticals, is in talks with multiple state institutions and several hospitals in India to ensure that Favizen is readily available for the patients in need.

Favipiravir has demonstrated positive clinical outcomes in some trials and has already been approved for use to treat Covid-19 in Russia and parts of the Middle East. Advance stage trials are currently underway in several countries, including India.

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