Hetero Generic Paxlovid for Covid 19 treatment in India

Hetero, the much-famous pharmaceutical company, is approved by the World Health Organization Prequalification of Medicines Programme (WHO PQ) for its generic version of Covid-19. This version is the  oral antiviral treatment candidate Nirmatrelvir. Let’s take a glance at it. 

Nirmacom Nirmatrelvir – The first prequalified Paxlovid’s generic version 

Formulated in Pfizer labs, Nirmatrelvir is co-packaged with Ritonavir to produce Paxlovid – Covid-19 oral antiviral drug. 

The medicine combo is recommended by WHO for treatment of COVID-19 patients of mild and moderate patients who have high probability to be hospitalized.

Available on prescription, the medication must be administered to patients at the earliest after Covid-19 diagnosis, within five days symptoms show up. 

Paxlovid Nirmacom tablet Price in India

Five strips of 30 tablets are recommended for five days to be consumed twice a day. 

As per the sources suggest that the Hetero company expected to sell the only generic Covid pill of the world in India at INR 5,000 around per course. 

Licensed by Pfizer, India witnessed the launch of Paxlovid in September with the brand name Paxzen. Hyderabad-based Zenara Pharma launched it at INR 5,200 a box.

Note: All the prices may be change as per the manufacturer.

How does the drug function?

Developed for oral consumption, Nirmatrelvir has to be started within no time after contracting with the infection. Thereby, it saves patients from worsening their situation and further hospitalisation. 

The drug stops an enzyme – Mpro from working that Covid 19 replicates. When co-administered with Ritonavir low dose, the metabolism slows or Nirmatrelvir breaks down to work longer. Thereby, it checks the virus from multiplying in the body. 

The Journey

Hetero got a non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreement with Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) and Pfizer. It is meant for making generic versions of Nirmatrelvir easily available in lower and middle income countries (LMICs).

It was in 2021 when Paxlovid paved the way for generic manufacturing through MMP and that too with no royalties.

Original drugs are meant for original new drugs. On the other hand, generic drugs refer to medicines that have the same active ingredients along with medicinal effects as well as dosage and administration forms same as the original drugs. 

The generic versions are manufactured and authorised in the original factory. Thereby, enabling low and middle income nations to get options. 

Later, the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) entered into a licensing arrangement with Pfizer. It signed agreements with 35 international companies to manufacture the generic version of Paxlovid. And supply it in 95 low-and middle-income countries.

It comprises 19 Indian drug manufacturers that include:

• Torrent Pharma
• Cadila Pharma
• Hetero
• Biocon
• Strides
• Glenmark
• Emcure
• Granules
• Macleods
• Sun Pharma
• Cipla

WHO pre-approved Hetero

The first one to get WHO pre-approval is Hetero. It ensures high production quality. The brand has received authorization for emergency use in India from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).

Nirmacom will be manufactured in Hetero’s labs in India and will be prescription-based medicine. 

Disclaimer

Note: The above article is only for general information, educational purposes only. Medicines should be taken under only a medical supervisor. Please don’t take any medicine before consulting with your doctor.