Cipla has launched an innovative combination of 3 HIV/AIDS drugs, Viraday that needs to be taken just once a day for effective treatment.
Cipla has launched an innovative combination of 3 HIV/AIDS drugs, Viraday that needs to be taken just once a day for effective treatment.
The three anti-HIV drugs efavirenz 600 mg, tenofovir 300 mg and emtricitabine 200mg comprise the drug Viraday. Viraday, one tablet of which alone effectively treats a HIV infected person, eliminates the need for 3 separate medicines. This drug has some advantages like, it is less burdensome and it can be taken along with tuberculosis medicine, which could not be done previously.This combination drug, that was previously available only in the U.S. and European countries, was first launched in India by Cipla on Thursday. In the U.S. and Europe this combination drug costs Rs. 52,800 a month, whereas Cipla will make it accessible at just Rs. 5,200 per month. This combination drug is less toxic than when the drugs are taken separately.
This breakthrough would improve the adherence-how faithfully patients stick to the course of treatment advised by the doctor. “This is a vital issue in HIV treatment to prevent the infection from reaching the advanced stage of AIDS,” said senior consultant in Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Dr Nalin Nag. He said, “Viraday is very patient friendly, as it requires just one pill a day and freedom from the severe side effect of many other anti HIV drugs.”
The innovative treatment kits and the 3-in-1 pills introduced by Cipla will promote adherence and ease of use. Viraday is the most remarkable accomplishment of Cipla.
Cipla has brought down the price of HIV/AIDS drugs in international market. It supplies HIV/AIDS drugs to majority of African, South Asian, Latin American and several other developing countries.
Source-Medindia
GYT
