Natco Pharma is another oseltamivir producer in race to launch syrup version for kids

Government could 'intervene'  if prices of generic oseltamivir fail to come down

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

Natco Pharma has priced Natflu -its version of H1N1 swineflu drug oseltmivir - meant for government supply at Rs 275 per dose, triggering a possible selling price battle among the Indian companies who make Tamiflu generics.

Natco launches swine flu drug oseltamivir generic Natflu in India Generic maker Natco Pharma has launched Natflu - its version of the H1N1 swineflu drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) in the Indian market. Natco's swine flu drug Natflu will be priced at at Rs 480 (US$10) for a bottle of 10 capsules and is available in all licensed pharmacies, the Hyderabad-based firm said in a statement. Natco is the latest Indian firm to join the fray of genric oseltamivir producers. Indian government, which was maintaining an oseltamivir stockpile of 10 million doses, has already exhausted or decentralized over 7.5 million capsules to distribute them to the H1N1 infected states. Now the health ministry plans to buy another 20 million doses of oseltamivir soon for its reserve. The government has alerted and asked the domestic companies like Ranbaxy Labs, Cipla, Natco Pharma, Strides Arcolab, Hetero Drugs and Roche India to be ready to supply for an order of 20 million capsules at short notice. On september 1, Daiichi Ranbaxy Laboratories got orders from the Centre to supply 900,000 doses of oseltamivir- the generic version of Roche’s anti-viral Tamiflu – used to treat the H1N1 flu, a Ranbaxy spokesman said. Bangalore-based Strides Arcolab also bagged a contract order from the Ministry of Health, Government of India for supply of 7.40 lakh doses of oseltamivir capsules, a day ago to tackle the emergency situation arising out of H1N1 pandemic outbreak in the country, as part of its second round of oseltmavir procurement to bolster the drug stockpile. (See related story) Earlier, India government had procured around 9 million doses of oseltamivir from Hetero Drugs, the only domestic company that has a manufacturing agreement with Roche to make the low cost version of the patented version. The health ministry also gave order to Roche for another one million doses of oseltamivir to complete its 10 million doses drug reserve. The government is procuring oseltamivir at around Rs 280 for a pack of 10 tablets. The health ministry is also considering to stockpile zanamivir (Relenza) –the alternative therapy available in the market against H1N1 swineflu. 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. The maker of zanamivir, UK-based drug maker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is in currently talks with the Indian government for introducing its patented drug, Relenza. Till now, Relenza has not been recommended for patients in India.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. The first case of swine flu in the country was reported in May, and the first death in early August. Recently, the government has lifted a ban on the sale of oseltamivir and zanamivir through retail chemists. Oseltmivir to treat H1N1 swine flu has been restricted through government health centres till 15th September, as a measure to prevent random of the drugs the possibility of developing resistance to these two drugs –one of the two available options to treat swine flu. Based in Hyderabad, southern India, Natco Pharma Limited is one of the fast growing pharmaceutical companies from India. Natco has introduced several first time generic drugs in India. Natco currently ranks as number  1 in terms of revenues from among the Indian companies in the oncological segment.  Natco has US FDA approved manufacturing facilities both for APIs as well as finished dosage pharmaceutical formulations. Natco recorded a jump in its revenues and profits for the year ended on 31st March, 2009. Natco registered an increase of 28% in its consolidated revenues, which have gone up to Rs. 465 Crores from Rs. 364 crores. Natco’s profit after tax, has also gone up to Rs. 4398 lakhs from Rs. 4052 lakhs, recording an increase of 8%. The growth in profits has been lower on account of expenses on Phase I clinical trials of the new chemical entity being developed by the company. Natco is in the final stages of Phase I clinical trials for its new chemical entity with multiple oncological indications and intends to undertake phase II trials shortly. Natco’s oncology business recorded a 23% jump in earnings (from Rs. 79 Crores to Rs. 97 Crores) as compared to last year. Natco has made significant inroads in its efforts to introduce its products in European and US markets and this has been reflected in its formulations exports, which have grown (from Rs. 14 Crores to Rs. 31 Crores) by nearly 114% over last year. Natco has already tied up with Lupin Limited for para IV litigation on Fosrenol (lanthanum carbonate) of Shire PLC and with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited for a basket of oncology products, apart from Mylan. Generic maker Natco Pharma has launched Natflu - its version of the H1N1 swineflu drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) in the Indian market.

Oseltamivir pills to be available in drug retail stores in India in a week

Indian government has initaited a major boost to its oseltamivir stock pile even as the death toll of H1N1 influenza A or swine flu has touched the 100 mark.

Bangalore-based 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.

Children with H1N1 should be promptly treated with with available antivirals like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanmivir (Relenza) as there are no safety concerns with use of these drugs in children.