Strides launches H1N1 swine flu drug Starflu (oseltamivir) in Indian drug stores

Strides Arcolab has launched Starflu – the company’s generic version of H1N1 swine flu drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) in India.

Strides Arcolab’s Starflu will be available in in Indian retail drug stores licensed to sell swineflu drug oseltamivir  Rs 460 per strip that contains 10 capsules in 75 mg strength meant for adults.

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) retail sales have been banned in India till last week as the government wanted to supply it only through health centres.

However, Indian government removed the ban allowing the purchase of oseltamivir from designated chemists with Schedule X licenses, by those who have doctor prescriptions.

Strides has decided to launch oseltamiir following the Indian Government’s approval of restricted retail sale of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for H1N1 treatment, the company said in a release.

Strides has the requisite stocks of Starflu to adequately supply and service the retail demand for this drug, Strides officials are quoted as saying.

Strides manufactured Starflu in its US FDA approved and WHO pre-qualified oral dosage forms manufacturing facility in Bangalore. Strides has also conducted necessary bioequivalence studies and established bioequivalence of its product with Tamiflu.

Strides will supply Starflu to 480 odd designated chemists/pharmacies with the required Schedule X license.

Hyderabad -based Natco Pharma has launched Natflu – its version of the H1N1 swineflu drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) in the Indian market, a few days ago

Natco has priced its swine flu drug Natflu at Rs 480 (US$10) for a bottle of 10 capsules.

Recently, Strides Arcolab has bagged a contract order from the Ministry of Health, Government of India for supply of 7.40 lakh doses of oseltamivir capsules to tackle the emergency situation arising out of H1N1 pandemic outbreak in the country.

Strides manufactures pharmaceutical formulations in various dosage forms including sterile injectables with dedicated facilities for Penicillin and penams, cepahlosporins, oncolytics and lyophilized injectable products.

Strides also manufactures pharmaceutical formulations in oral dosage forms, including capsules & tablets and softgel capsules.

Strides operates in Australasia, Africa and India.Strides has joint ventures and front-ended operations in major markets and is a majority stakeholder of Ascent Pharmahealth Limited (APH), an ASX listed company.

Strides has collaborations with US PEPFAR and the UNICEF to supply a range of affordable generic pharmaceutical products used in the treatment of HIV, TB and Malaria.

Strides has manufacturing 13 facilities in Bangalore (India), Milan, Warsaw, Singapore and Lagos. The Indian manufacturing facilities are approved by all major regulatory bodies. Strides manufactures pharmaceutical formulations in various dosage forms including sterile injectables with dedicated facilities for penicillin and penams, cepahlosporins, oncolytics and lyophilized injectable products.

Strides also manufactures pharmaceutical formulations in oral dosage forms, including capsules & tablets and Softgel capsules. Strides operates in Australasia, Africa and India.

Strides is a majority stakeholder of Ascent Pharmahealth Limited (APH), an ASX listed company. The company also collaborates with Global Drug Agencies and US PEPFAR and the UNICEF to supply generic pharmaceutical products used in the treatment of HIV, TB and Malaria.

Strides has reported second quarter revenue from operations for the financial year 2009 at Rs.309 crores up 21%, and PAT at Rs. 42 crores against net Loss of Rs. 49 crores in Q2’08. Stand-alone revenue from operations at Rs. 175 crores up 9%, and PAT at Rs.60 crores against net loss of Rs.56 crores in Q2’08.