HC order 'disappointing', says Cipla

Drug maker Cipla today expressed disappointment over the Delhi High Court order that restrained the company from manufacturing and selling any medicine containing 'Indacaterol', saying that the interim verdict would deny patients access to drugs they need.
Stating that the company is "disappointed" with the court order, Cipla in a statement said: "However, we fully comply with it. We will decide on the next course of action once we read the judgement.
"In the meantime the patients will continue to get the product till the old stocks last. We are, however, concerned that this judgement will deny patients access to the drugs they need."

The Delhi High Court today temporarily restrained Cipla from manufacturing, importing or selling any drug containing the chemical Indacaterol which is used for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) till it obtains a compulsory license for the medicine.
Justice Manmohan Singh in an interim order restrained the Indian pharma major from manufacturing its drug sold under the name of "Indaflo", but allowed it to sell the stock remaining with it.
The court said the restraint on Cipla will remain till its application for compulsory licence is decided by the relevant authority.
The order was passed on the plea of Switzerland-based Novartis AG which holds a patent for manufacture of Indacaterol maleate salt as well as the manufacturing process for the drug.

Novartis has been selling the medicine in India as an inhalation powder and inhaler under the trademark name of "Onbrez" through its licencee Lupin Ltd, since 2010.