- Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories launched generic drug
Remdesivir under the brand name Redyx in India on September 9. - Redyx will be available in the market for ₹5,400 per 100 mg vial.
Zydus Cadila , on August 13, launched the cheapest version of Remdesivir under the brand name Remdac.- Apart from
Cipla andHetero Labs , Jubilant Lifesciences and Mylan are working to manufacture the drug in India.
Dr Reddy’s Lab is the sixth pharmaceutical company to introduce Remdesivir in India. On August 13, Zydus Cadila launched its own version of Remdesivir called Remda in the Indian market. Remdac is priced at ₹2,800 per 100 mg vial, making it the cheapest version of the drug so far.
Zydus Cadila said that the drug will be made available across India through the group's strong distribution chain reaching out to government and private hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.
In June this year, Zydus had entered into a non-exclusive agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc to manufacture and sell Remdesivir, the investigational drug, which has been issued an emergency use authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to treat patients suffering from severe symptoms of COVID-19.
Previously, pharmaceutical giants Cipla and Hetero introduced generic versions Remdesivir — an antiviral drug first used to treat Ebola — to fight coronavirus. The drug was launched in India in July. India’s Health Ministry approved use of the drug to treat mild cases of coronavirus. However, the drug is not recommended to treat those who have several renal impairment, pregnant and lactating women, children below 12 years age.
Hetero said it will make its version of Remdesivir — Covifor — available between ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 for a vial. Whereas, Cipla's Cipremi is available for ₹4000 for per 100 mg vial. Cipla’s Cipremi is available for only those patients who are on oxygen support.
Apart from Cipla and Hetero Labs, Jubilant Lifesciences and Mylan are also working to manufacture the drug in India. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Biocon firm Syngene and has also received voluntary permission from Gilead Sciences to produce Remdesivir in India.
(With inputs from PTI)
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