Molnupiravir, an anti-viral Covid pill, may cost Rs 40 to Rs 75 per tablet, taking the cost of the entire treatment to around Rs 3,000 for five days, says head of Optimus Pharma, 13 to launch the drug in India. one of the companies. , told News18.
Molnupiravir, developed by US-based biotechnology company Ridgeback Biotherapeutics in collaboration with US pharma giant Merck, was on Tuesday approved for emergency use in India. The oral pill will be manufactured by 13 Indian pharmaceutical companies including Torrent, Cipla, Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy’s, Natco, Mylan and Hetero.
Hyderabad-based Optimus Pharma is counted amongst the fastest growing manufacturers of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Formulated Supplements in the Asia-Pacific region.
In an exclusive interview with News18, D Srinivas Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, Optimus Pharma said that Molnupiravir is not a complex generic to manufacture and can cost as low as Rs 40 or Rs 75 per tablet.
The tablet has been launched in the 200 mg strength, estimated by 13 drug manufacturers. The recommended dosage of molanupiravir is 800 mg twice a day for five days, which means 40 tablets would be needed for the entire treatment and the total cost would be between Rs 1,600 to Rs 3,000.
“Molnupiravir is not a complex generic as compared to Favipiravir, which was moderately complex, hence, we supplied the finished drug to around 22 drug manufacturers across India. For Molnupiravir, we will supply the finished formulation to three pharma companies,” Reddy said.
“The price of Molnupiravir will be around Rs 40 to Rs 75 per tablet.
Optimus Pharma is known for its aggressive role in manufacturing and supplying Favipiravir, another Covid-19 drug, to over 20 top pharmaceutical companies in India including Abbott, Cipla, Lupine, Mylan, Intas and Torrent. It also supplies the API for Favipiravir to Glenmark – the top seller of the drug branded as FabiFlu.
While API is the main component of any drug that gives the main therapeutic effect, the finished dosage is the final product. For example: Paracetamol is the API of the branded drug Crocin.
For Molnupiravir, Optimus Pharma will supply the finished formulations to three drug makers – Abbott of the US, Lupine of Mumbai and JB Chemicals.
read all breaking news, today’s fresh news And coronavirus news Here.
,