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September, 2006 Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India |
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Roche Likely To Withdraw AIDS Drug From Indian Market
Co has discontinued supply in Europe citing commercial reasons
Roche India, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Swiss drug maker F Hoffmann-La Roche & Co (Roche), is likely to withdraw its anti-HIV AIDS drug Fortovase (Saquinavir) from the Indian market. The company has discontinued the supply of this drug in Europe citing commercial reasons. Roche is distributing the product through its marketing partner Taksal Pharma in India.
Roche may take the drug off Indian shelves as it did in other markets. Roche has announced the discontinuation of the production and supply of Fortovase some time in February.
The company has found the returns from the drug commercialy unviable and had decided to discontinue its manufacturing and supply. It is logical that they would follow suit in India.
Roche, in its circular to medical fraternity had earlier said that the sale and distribution of Fortovase, the 200-mg soft-gel formulation of Saquinavir, will be discontinued. Roche has taken this action because the clinical demand for Fortovase has declined significantly and the killing of the drug is not the result of any safety or efficacy issues regarding the product. Fortovase is an anti HIV drug and is taken along with ritonavir and other antiretrovirals.
Roche had appointed Taksal Pharma Pvt Ltd as its distributor in 2003. Taksal currently has distribution rights for Roche’s products such as CellCeptr, Zenapaxr, Cymevener, Mabtherar, Xelodar, Herceptinr, Pegasysr, Fortovase, Recormonr, Neupogenr, Roferonr, and Vesanoidr.
Date: 11-Aug-2006
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