Cipla to export anti-Swine flu drugs to US

MUMBAI: Pharma firm Cipla Ltd on Wednesday said it is looking to export Antiflu, the drug used in the treatment of influenza AH1N1 (swine flu) virus, to US markets. "There is a shortage of this drug in the US. We have made an offer and willing to make this drug available in the US markets," Cipla Chairman and Managing Director Y K Hamied told reporters here.

Other countries also can approach us for the supply of Antiflu, he said while announcing the launch of the drug. "We have launched Oseltamivir brand, called Antiflu, which is the only anti-flu medicine from India to be prequalified by the World Health Organisation (WHO)," Hamied said.

The company has the capacity to produce up to two million doses a month to meet the growing requirement of this medicine. Currently Roche, the Swiss pharmaceuticals group which makes Tamiflu, a prescription drug, have treated around 42 million patients of H1N1 in about 80 countries worldwide.

Cipla''s Antiflu would be available both in capsules and liquid. Ten capsules will cost Rs 475 and 75 ml syrup will be similarly priced.

The launch of Antiflu comes in the wake of WHO declaring the flu as pandemic, which is anticipated to strike with the seasonal peak of winter, Hamied said.