Glenmark Launches COVID-19 Medicine

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has launched FabiFlu, a brand name for anti-viral Favipiravir against COVID-19 after receiving approval from the Drug Controller General of India. 

FabiFlu has demonstrated an encouraging response in mild to moderate Covid-19 patients during clinical trials according to the company. It is also orally administered and this makes it easier to consume in comparison to the other intravenous medicines. 

The drug will be available as a prescription-based medication for Rs 103/tablet, with recommended dose being 1,800 mg twice on day one, followed by 800 mg twice daily up to day 14. Favipiravir can be used for coronavirus patients with co-morbid conditions such as diabetes and heart disease with mild to moderate Covid-19 symptoms. It offers rapid reduction in viral load within four days and provides faster symptomatic and radiological improvement, the drug maker added.

Favipiravir is actively being used in Russia to fight against COVID-19. It was first approved in Japan in 2014 to act against influenza.