- Zydus Cadila, on August 13, launched Remdesivir under the brand name Remdac, used to treat patients suffering from severe symptoms of COVID-19.
- Priced at ₹2,800 per 100 mg vial, it is the cheapest
Remdesivir drug available in India - Apart from Cipla and Hetero Labs, Jubilant Lifesciences, and Mylan are working to manufacture the drug in India.
Zydus Cadila is the fifth company to make this antiviral drug in India. They have 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. 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 is yet to decide the cost of Cipremi. 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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