UK-based drug maker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is in talks with the Indian government for introducing its patented drug, Relenza, which is used for the treatment of Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu).

“Currently, we are in talks with the Indian government for introducing Relenza in the domestic market,” Glaxo SmithKline South Asia Vice-President and India Managing Director Hasit Joshipura said.

Click here for Cloud Computing

Also Read   Related Stories News Now - GSKCH aims to make Horlicks Junior Biscuits a Rs 50 cr brand - Glenmark faces patent infringement case in US - GSK to launch 5-6 products in current year - Volume growth, lower input costs help FMCG companies - Horlicks stretches out - Lupin, Matrix face antitrust probe in EU

Also Read   Related Stories News Now - S&P reaches 7-month high before hitting wall - Kingfisher Q3 loss widens by 75%, costs mount - Citigroup pays $158 mn in US mortgage fraud pact - Olympus ex-president, others arrested: media - Alibaba may take Hong Kong-listed unit private for $2.3 bn More

The retail sale of the swine flu drug, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is not permitted in India. The drug can be sold through government hospitals as the treatment and diagnosis of the flu has been carried out by the government itself.

Till now, Relenza has not been recommended for patients in India. The company has not specified whether it plans to sell the drug through government hospitals or it would opt for retail sale.

With the rise in the number of swine-flu cases, governments across the world are stocking up both the drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza, to treat swine flu. However, according to the senior officials in the health ministry, the Indian government has not placed any orders for the purchase of Relenza but is in talks with GSK.

Relenza has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the alternative drug for the treatment of swine flu as in some cases the virus has shown resistance to the drug.

GSK is currently not manufacturing the drug in India but it is supplying the drug to many countries across the globe and is also in the process of increasing its manufacturing capacity for the drug.

GSK and Biota have the patent over the drug till 2014.

New Ipad Application :Business Standard's all new IPad App Click here to download for free Other Stories      - S&P reaches 7-month high before hitting wall - Kingfisher Q3 loss widens by 75%, costs mount - Citigroup pays $158 mn in US mortgage fraud pact - Olympus ex-president, others arrested: media - Alibaba may take Hong Kong-listed unit private for $2.3 bn

Tags : GSK | Hasit Joshipura | H1N1 | DCGI | Tamiflu   Read Business news in  Advertisements -  Now property search gets more exciting than ever before! -  High Growth Business Opportunities in Africa - Register to explore -  Save over Rs.3000 with IndianOil Citibank Card -  We live for our family. have you secured them? -  India's No. 1 Property Site. Click here to know more.. -  Diseases earlier, Saving Costs, Extending Lives. Know More.. -  Get 5% cashback on telephone bills with Citi -  Enjoy the journey as much as the destination. click to know more.. -  Exim Bank Conclave on India - Africa Project Partnership. Know more.. -  Medium-sized businesses are the engines of a smarter planet. -  Be part of it The World's Largest Aircraft. -  Creating Wealth made simple the SIP way. Know more.. -  Only Developer to give a guarantee on time space & rate. -  Office 365 for professionals and small businesses. -  Buy Your Property with Our Triple Guarantee in India. -  Improve Patient Care & Experience. Click here to know more -  Win a Business Class Ticket to Europe..Know more.. -   Introduce a New Automotive Luxury Car.. know more -  Health is Wealth..... Insurance + Savings... Know More...