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LaunchPad
Cipla Launches Antiflu to Treat Influenza
Leading pharmaceutical company Cipla announced the launch
of Oseltamivir under the brand name Antiflu.
The only flu medicine from India to be prequalified by WHO,
Antiflu would be sold under Schedule X category in India, like Virenza. These
two Cipla drugs currently are the only to be widely recommended by various world
health bodies. The launch comes in wake of WHO declaring flu as 'pandemic,'
which is anticipated to strike with the seasonal peak of winter.
Commenting on the launch of Antiflu, Dr YK Hamied, Chairman
and Managing Director, Cipla, said, "Cipla has always been passionate about
providing quality drugs to the country at affordable rates. With WHO declaring
flu as 'pandemic' it becomes imperative that the drug is available. "
"Influenza, a perceivably benign condition actually
kills about 2.5 - 5 lakh people every year worldwide according to WHO. These
are generally the elderly or those with chronic underling conditions of the
lung, heart, kidney etc. The fatality pattern this year with the 2009 H1N1 virus
has been unusual with the virus attacking healthy adults and children and pregnant
women," said Dr JA Gogtay, Medical Director, Cipla.
Unlike paracetamol prescribed to control fever, Antiflu and
Virenza directly targets the virus and blocks its replication. "Best results
are seen if the medicines are taken within 48 hours of symptoms. Clinical trials
suggest that these medicines reduce suffering considerably by over 24 hours,"
added Dr Gogtay.
Both influenza and H1N1 are extremely contagious and Antiflu
and Virenza are also recommended as preventive therapy for people with 'vulnerable'
health conditions such asthma, COPD, HIV, heart disease or diabetes. "However,
medicines should be taken only with the advice of a medical practitioner. Antiflu
will be available both as capsules and liquid," added Dr Gogtay.
Cipla is conducting a webcast on 14th November 2009 with
over 10,00 doctors across the country to discuss and prepare for the anticipated
rise in flu cases by year end.
EH News Bureau
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