Cipla, the largest domestic drug maker in terms of sales, has developed three low-cost generic medicines to treat blood pressure, allergic rhinitis and control excessive bleeding in women during delivery. The three drugs are the world’s first generic versions in their delivery forms.
Cipla, which revolutionised HIV/AIDS treatment globally by offering generic drug cocktails at a cost of less than a dollar a day, has developed another first of its kind 600-microgram tablet branded as MisoProst (Misoprostol) for Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPR).
PPR is the loss of greater than 500 ml of blood following vaginal delivery, or 1,000 ml of blood following cesarean. It is the leading cause of death among pregnant women. The Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in India is close to 350 out of one lakh pregnancies. The tablet, priced Rs 52 per pill, will be able to significantly reduce such deaths, especially in rural hospitals, Jaideep A Gogtay, medical director of Cipla, told Business Standard.
“At present some gels and injections are available in the market, but storage issues like refrigeration limit availability. We are planning to talk to the Ministry of Health to include this in the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to reduce MMR,” he said.
Cipla has also developed a novel blood pressure drug branded as Cresar AM, a combination of hypertension drugs telmisartan and amoldipine. It already has a blood pressure combination drug Rosulip-F, which combines rosuvastatin (AstraZeneca’s drug Crestor) and phenofibrate.
Cipla has already launched a nasal spray for allergic rhinitis, the inflammation of nasal passages. Named Furamist Aze, the drug combines anti-inflammatory drug fluticasone furoate with Azelastine, an anti-histamine which controls swelling.
The 250-plus scientists at its research and development centre have also developed a new generic drug for Gastro Esophageal Reflux (GER) or acid reflux among children.
“Eating habits and intake of more junk food are increasingly getting numerous children prone to GER,” said Sujeet K Rajan, consultant chest physician with Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Science.
Cipla will sell the new products in India and markets where the drugs lack patent protection. Cipla’s R&D team is working on several new drug combinations and new drug delivery systems, including novel HIV/AIDS cocktails for children, said Gogtay.
