Zydus Cadila launched the cheapest generic version of Remdesivir in India

Zydus Cadila launched the cheapest generic version of Gilead Sciences’ antiviral drug Remdesivir in India to treat the deadly COVID 19 pandemic. The version has been launched after reports of a shortage of the drugs in the hospitals of the country. The price of drugs has been fixed as Rs 2800 per 100 mg vial.

Details of this Launch

The drugs will be sold under the brand name Remdac to the government and the private hospitals in the country that are treating the COVID 19 patients. Zydus is the fifth company to launch a copy of this drug in the country after Hetero Labs, Cipla, Mylan NV and Jubilant Life Sciences. Apart from these, Gilead has also entered into licensing agreements with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and Syngene International to make Remdesivir for distribution in 127 countries, including India.

What is Remdesivir?

This was an antiviral drug first developed by Gilead Sciences to treat Ebola outbreak in the African countries though the drug didn’t do well against that disease at that time. It was later used for combating diseases such as SARS and MERS, both caused by the coronaviruses, and showed promising results. Now, it is also being used against COVID 19 though it doesn’t cure this deadly disease completely but it may help in speeding up recovery already taking place for the COVID 19 patients.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2020