Ranbaxy launches India's first new drug for malaria, Synriam

Ranbaxy today announced the launch of a new malaria drug, `Synriam', which, the company said, is meant for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, in adults.

Minister of health and family welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad launched the new age cure for malaria at a function in New Delhi on World Malaria Day today.

The new drug has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for marketing in India and conforms to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for using combination therapy in malaria. Synriam provides quick relief from most malaria-related symptoms, including fever, and has a high cure rate of over 95 per cent, a Ranbaxy release said.

Ranbaxy said Phase III clinical trials for the drug conducted in India, Bangladesh and Thailand demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of Synriam vis-à-vis the combination of artemether and lumefantrine.

The dosage regimen for Synriam is also simple as the patient is required to take just one tablet per day, for three days, compared to other medicines where two to four tablets are required to be taken, twice daily, for three or more days, the release said, adding, that this makes Synriam a convenient option, leading to better compliance.

The drug is also independent of dietary restrictions for fatty foods or milk, as is the case with older anti-malarial therapies.