Glenmark launches COVID-19 drug Faviflu at Rs.103 per tablet

June 20: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. on Saturday said it has launched antiviral drug Favipiravir, under the brand name FabiFlu, for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Covid-19 at a price of about Rs 103 per tablet. The drug will be available as a 200 mg tablet at a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs 3,500 for a strip of 34 tablets, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said.

FabiFlu is the first oral favipiravir-approved medication in India for the treatment of COVID-19, it said in a statement. It is a prescription-based medication, with recommended dose being 1,800 mg twice daily on day one, followed by 800 mg twice daily up to day 14, it added. The drug will be available both through hospitals and the retail channel, Glenmark said.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Chairman and Managing Director Glenn Saldanha said, “”This approval comes at a time when cases in India are spiralling like never before, putting a tremendous pressure on our healthcare system.” Favipiravir can be used for coronavirus patients with co-morbid conditions such as diabetes and heart disease with mild to moderate Covid-19 symptoms, Glenmark said. Favipiravir has shown clinical improvement of up to 88 per cent in mild to moderate COVID-19 cases, it said.

The approval’s restricted use entails responsible medication usage where every patient must have signed informed consent before treatment initiation.