New Delhi: Now pharma MNCs and domestic companies will face stiff competition from none other than public sector undertakings, which are making a foray into the highly-competitive anti-HIV drugs market. As a result, prices of anti-retrovirals are expected to drop substantially, by 25-30% with the entry of these state-owned entities.
Five PSUs are changing their strategy from manufacturing traditional therapies to enter the anti-retroviral market as part of a restructuring and revival package drawn up by the government.
In the first phase, Rajasthan Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (RDPL) and Hindustan Antibiotics are launching six anti-retroviral drugs which offer the crucial first line in treatment against the dreaded disease.
RDPL would be able to manufacture a 30-tablet/capsule pack of Didanosine 400 mg at Rs 1173, over Rs 200 cheaper than Cipla’s price, according to initial estimates. In the case of Nevirapine 200 mg, RDPL can manufacture it at Rs 126, Rs 20 cheaper as against Cipla’s price of Rs 147 and Alkem’s Rs 135. While in case of another drug, Lamivudine 300 mg, RDPL is cheaper by Rs 65 than Cipla’s price.
Other PSUs like Indian Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals and Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals will follow suit soon.
HAL and RDPL will launch six anti-retrovirals which went off patent recently—Lamivudine, Indinavir, Nevirapine, Lidovudine, Didanosine, and a combination of Lamivudine and Lidovudine.
“The government will be able to achieve two objectives through this move. Most importantly, it will be successful in achieving its social responsibility in bringing down drug prices and making them more accessible. Secondly, the PSUs will also get a fresh lease of life,’’ sources told TOI.
Treatment of HIV is not only expensive, but also inaccessible for most people. There are about 5.2 million HIV infected people in the country, of which 5 lakh have the full blown disease and need treatment urgently. Only about 30-40,000 are covered by National Aids Control Organisation and 20,000 by private health agencies.
“With the availability of the cheapest drugs in the market by these PSUs, we will be able to treat one lakh patients immediately,’’ sources said, adding, “so within the same budget, more people can be covered.’’
PRESCRIPTION FOR GROWTH
• Five PSU drug firms are planning to enter the anti-HIV drug market as part of a government revival package
• This would bring down anti-retroviral drug prices by 25-30%
• Besides giving these firms a fresh lease of life, it will help the govt achieve the social responsibilty to providing cheaper drugs
Five PSUs are changing their strategy from manufacturing traditional therapies to enter the anti-retroviral market as part of a restructuring and revival package drawn up by the government.
In the first phase, Rajasthan Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (RDPL) and Hindustan Antibiotics are launching six anti-retroviral drugs which offer the crucial first line in treatment against the dreaded disease.
RDPL would be able to manufacture a 30-tablet/capsule pack of Didanosine 400 mg at Rs 1173, over Rs 200 cheaper than Cipla’s price, according to initial estimates. In the case of Nevirapine 200 mg, RDPL can manufacture it at Rs 126, Rs 20 cheaper as against Cipla’s price of Rs 147 and Alkem’s Rs 135. While in case of another drug, Lamivudine 300 mg, RDPL is cheaper by Rs 65 than Cipla’s price.
Other PSUs like Indian Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals and Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals will follow suit soon.
HAL and RDPL will launch six anti-retrovirals which went off patent recently—Lamivudine, Indinavir, Nevirapine, Lidovudine, Didanosine, and a combination of Lamivudine and Lidovudine.
“The government will be able to achieve two objectives through this move. Most importantly, it will be successful in achieving its social responsibility in bringing down drug prices and making them more accessible. Secondly, the PSUs will also get a fresh lease of life,’’ sources told TOI.
Treatment of HIV is not only expensive, but also inaccessible for most people. There are about 5.2 million HIV infected people in the country, of which 5 lakh have the full blown disease and need treatment urgently. Only about 30-40,000 are covered by National Aids Control Organisation and 20,000 by private health agencies.
“With the availability of the cheapest drugs in the market by these PSUs, we will be able to treat one lakh patients immediately,’’ sources said, adding, “so within the same budget, more people can be covered.’’
PRESCRIPTION FOR GROWTH
• Five PSU drug firms are planning to enter the anti-HIV drug market as part of a government revival package
• This would bring down anti-retroviral drug prices by 25-30%
• Besides giving these firms a fresh lease of life, it will help the govt achieve the social responsibilty to providing cheaper drugs