Pfizer, Abbott stop sale of cough syrups in India post ban

Drug majors Pfizer and Abbott have stopped sale of their popular cough syrups Corex and Phensedyl respectively, after the government banned over 300 fixed dose combinations (FDCs) drugs.
The two companies, however, said they are exploring "all options" to counter the impact of ban.
Pfizer today said it has stopped the sale of its Corex cough syrup that garnered sales of Rs 176 crore in the nine-month period ended December 31, and said the government's move will have an adverse impact on it.
"The company is exploring all available options at its disposal... The prohibition is likely to have an adverse impact on the revenue and profitability of the company," Pfizer said in a BSE filing.

In view of the government ban on manufacture and sale of Corex, the "company has discontinued the manufacture and sale of it's drug 'Corex' with immediate effect," Pfizer said adding that Corex has a well established efficacy and safety profile in India for more then 30 years.
Abbott has also stopped sale of its Phensedyl cough syrup.

When contacted a company spokesperson said: "Abbott is complying with all legal requirements related to the government notification."
The company termed the Health Ministry's decision to ban "certain fixed dose combinations drugs that have been already approved" as an "unilateral approach".
"Abbott has reviewed the DCGI notification and we are concerned about the unilateral approach in prohibiting the manufacture, sale and distribution of certain fixed dose combinations that have already been approved for use by DCGI.

"We are evaluating the notification and exploring all available options," the spokesperson said.
Some of these formulations have been the treatment of choice in specific medical conditions, Abbott said.
"We are concerned that patients may not have access to some medicines which have been approved by DCGI and safely and effectively used in India for years," Abbott spokesperson said.
(REOPENS DCM 54)
Commenting on the ban, OPPI DG Ranjana Smetacek said: "This sudden notification comes without warning and uses a very broad brush to deal with the issue! It is a big concern that, with this sweeping action, patients are to be denied access to some medicines that are approved as safe and efficacious in India and globally."

Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) mainly represents MNC's and research-based pharmaceutical companies in India.