Sun Pharma, Cipla, Hetero, and Torrent, all Indian pharma companies, announced on Tuesday that their versions of the antiviral drug Molnupiravir will be available in India soon to treat high-risk adult COVID-19 patients.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given the companies permission to manufacture and market their versions of the anti-Covid pill Molnupiravir for limited use in emergency situations (EUA) in India.
The capsules will be sold under the companies’ respective brands and will be available at all major pharmacies and COVID treatment centres across the country, according to the companies.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries said it will sell Molnupiravir capsules in India under the brand name ‘Molxvir,’ while Cipla, based in Mumbai, will sell it as ‘Cipmolnu.’
In India, Hetero will market the product under the ‘Movfor’ brand, while Torrent Pharma will market it under the ‘Molnutor’ brand.
Sun Pharma CEO of India Business Kirti Ganorkar said in a statement, “Our endeavour is to make the product available in a week’s time.”
“In line with our consistent efforts to accelerate access to new drugs for COVID-19 treatment, we will make Molxvir available to patients at an affordable price,” he said, adding that Molnupiravir is an important addition to the portfolio of oral therapies available for treating COVID-19 patients. “Currently, the plan is to manufacture molnupiravir at one of our large plants in India,” Ganorkar said, “and if there is a need, we can ramp up capacity.” Sun Pharma is also preparing to launch a toll-free helpline to ensure that Molxvir is available to doctors and patients throughout India.
Cipla said Cipmolnu 200 mg capsules will be available soon at all major pharmacies and Covid treatment centres across the country.
It added that the company has adequate manufacturing capacity and a strong distribution system in place to ensure quick access to this effective treatment across India.
Cipla Ltd MD and Global CEO Umang Vohra said, “This launch is yet another step in our endeavour to enable access to all treatments in COVID care.”
“This improving access to critical medicines will always remain the highest of priorities to us,” Hetero Group of Companies Chairman B Partha Saradhi Reddy said, adding that the approval by the authorities consolidates India’s efforts to address the world’s greatest health threat COVID-19. Hetero said the capsule will be marketed under the Movfor brand and manufactured at its facilities in Telangana and Himachal Pradesh.
“Hetero’s Movfor will be made available in a 40 capsule pack (200 mg per capsule) and will be marketed by its associate company ‘Hetero Healthcare’ in India with the support of its strong distribution network across the country,” it added.
Likewise, Ahmedabad-based Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd said it is introducing Molnupiravir under the brand name Molnutor in India.
“We’re excited to collaborate with MSD to bring Molnupiravir to patients in India.” Molnupiravir will be a valuable addition to our healthcare system’s arsenal in the fight against Covid-19,” said Aman Mehta, Torrent Pharma’s Executive Director for India.
These companies signed non-exclusive voluntary licencing agreements with MSD earlier this year to manufacture and supply the generic version of molnupiravir in more than 100 LMICs, including India.
The DCGI has approved Molnupiravir for the treatment of adult patients with Covid-19 who have a SpO2 less than 93 percent and are at high risk of disease progression, including hospitalisation or death, based on a review of clinical data.