Cipla on Wednesday became the sixth pharmaceutical firm to launch its version of oseltamivir (the only drug that works on the H1N1 virus) in the market. The company, which has given a stock to the government for the second wave of swine flu likely in winter, has introduced its version-Antiflu.
Cipla medical director Dr J A Gogtay said, "Oseltamivir may not kill the H1N1 virus completely but it reduces replication and thus, other complications like pneumonia,'' he said.
"Oseltamivir is most effective when administered at the earliest. If one waits for swab test results, it may be too late,'' Bombay Hospital respiratory consultant Dr Sujeet Rajan said.
As there has been a decrease in the number of swine flu cases and five other pharma companies having their versions of the drug in the market, medical shop owners are not certain if they need to stock oseltamivir. "The FDA has asked us to stock oseltamivir. The moment the government announces that there is no danger of swine flu any more, we will return the stocks,'' Altaf Sheikh of Byculla Pharmacy said.
Cipla medical director Dr J A Gogtay said, "Oseltamivir may not kill the H1N1 virus completely but it reduces replication and thus, other complications like pneumonia,'' he said.
"Oseltamivir is most effective when administered at the earliest. If one waits for swab test results, it may be too late,'' Bombay Hospital respiratory consultant Dr Sujeet Rajan said.
As there has been a decrease in the number of swine flu cases and five other pharma companies having their versions of the drug in the market, medical shop owners are not certain if they need to stock oseltamivir. "The FDA has asked us to stock oseltamivir. The moment the government announces that there is no danger of swine flu any more, we will return the stocks,'' Altaf Sheikh of Byculla Pharmacy said.
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