Strides Arcolab launches H1N1 drug ‘Starflu’
26 Sep 2009
Pharmaceutical firm Strides Arcolab today said it has launched its H1N1 drug 'Starflu', a generic version of Roche Holding AG's Tamiflu.
Starflu will be available at all licensed pharmacies at a price of Rs460 for a bottle of 10 capsules of 75 mg strength, Strides said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange. ''Strides has the requisite stocks of Starflu to adequately supply and service the retail demand for this drug," company president Nitin Ghadiyar said.
After much dithering, the Indian government earlier this month allowed restricted retail sales of generic versions of oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which has been found to be effective in treating H1N1 or swine flu. (See: Government opens window for retail sale of H1N1 drug). Following this, several companies have entered the market with their generic versions.
Natco Pharma was perhaps the first with its 'Natflu'. Now both Strides and Ranbaxy have joined the bandwagon with firm government orders. Strides Arcolabs has bagged the biggest order, for the supply of 7.4 million capsules, while Ranbaxy will supply 900,000 capsules initially.
Shares of both companies shot up on release of the news.