Torrent Pharma unveils cheap antibiotic

The Ahmedabad-based Torrent Pharmaceuticals further strengthened its antibiotic portfolio yesterday with the launch of a fluroquinolone (Gatifloxacin) at an affordable price under the brand name of Ecogat.

Gatifloxacin today is one of the most frequently prescribed antibacterials in common respiratory tract infections and enjoys the status of "respiratory quinolone".

Owing to its broader bacterial coverage, excellent safety profile and least chances of bacterial resistance, it has occupied an important position in empiric treatment of the respiratory tract infections.

Besides, the drug is found to be effective in skin and soft tissue infections as well as urinary tract infections.

Gatifloxacin has been seen to be lethal to even certain of those organisms which may have developed resistance to other fluoroquinolones, like Ciprofloxacin.

It has better compliance in the body as compared to Levofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones. In short, Gatifloxacin represents a latest advancement in this era of fluoroquinolones.

Today the antibacterial market is worth Rs 2,800 crore and growing at 17 percent.

The major growth is coming from gatifloxacin which is already at Rs 78 crore and growing at a whopping 200 percent.

The growth and usage of the drug clearly implies that it would soon take over the ciprofloxacin market and also make its mark in shifting the usage from the macrolide market.

Says Sujesh Vasudevan, VP-marketing, "Ecogat offers better coverage, superior safety profile and an easy affordability. At a Rs 5 per day therapy, ECOGAT is destined to be the antibiotic of tomorrow."

Looking at the market potential, the turnover is likely to touch approx Rs 7 crores per annum in next few months.