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Dr Reddy's launches Avigan (Favipiravir) in India for coronavirus

Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd announced the launch of Avigan (Favipiravir) 200 mg tablets in India

Coronavirus

Press Trust of India Hyderabad

Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd On

Wednesday announced the launch of Avigan (Favipiravir) 200 mg tablets in India.

The launch is part of the global licensing agreement with Fujifilm Toyama Chemical Co. Ltd. that grants the Indian drug maker the exclusive rights to manufacture, sell and distribute the tablets in India, Chief Executive Officer of Branded Markets (India and Emerging Markets), Dr Reddy's Laboratories, M V Ramana said.

Avigan(Favipiravir) has been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 disease.

Speaking to reporters, Ramana said: "We are pleased to bring this important innovator medicine to the patients in India. The need for high quality and efficacy, affordability and better disease management are key priorities for us.

 

We believe that Aviganwould provide an effective treatment option to the COVID-19 impacted patients in India."

Avigancomes in a complete therapy pack of 122 tablets with a two-year shelf life.

To ensure accelerated access to the medicine, Dr Reddy's has initiated a free home delivery service in 42 cities in the country, and a Helpline Centerbetween 9 am to 9 pm IST, Monday through Saturday.

Ramana further said as of now they are importing the drug from Japan and soon will manufacture it in India.

Replying to query, he said they have already approached regulatory authorities of two or three countries including the US seeking approvals to sell the drug and seek fast track approvals from them once trials are completed.

Dr Reddy's is set to launch another COVID-19 treatment drug, Remdesivir in the first week of September, he added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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First Published: Aug 19 2020 | 1:43 PM IST

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