HYDERABAD: The country's second largest drug maker Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd (DRL) has signed a pact with Hetero Drugs to sell Hepatitis C drug — Sofosbuvir tablets in 400 mg — in India. The drug will be sold under the Resof brand and is used for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C.
“The launch of Resof is in line with Dr Reddy's philosophy of offering ‘innovative medicine at an affordable price’ and will provide significant relief to patients, resulting in potential cure and a high barrier to resistance at an affordable price for those living with Hepatitis C,” said G V Prasad, co-chairman, DRL.
The company in a statement said, the diagnosis rates for Heptatitis C in India were abysmally low, and availability of the drug will make a significant difference in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
“Clinical studies have indicated that Sofosbuvir 400 mg, in combination with other agents, achieved very high cure rates, while shortening the duration of the treatment to as little as 12 weeks and reducing or completely eliminating the need for interferon injections, depending on the viral genotype,” DRL said.
It may be noted that early this month, Hyderabad-based Hetero received approval for generic Sofosbuvir 400 mg tablets from the Drug Controller General of India. The company has a non-exclusive licence agreement with Irish firm Gilead Sciences to manufacture and sell generic versions of its chronic Hepatitis C medicines in 91 developing countries.