Roche's Antibody Cocktail launched in India, priced at Rs. 59,750/dose
Drug majors Roche India and Cipla on Monday announced the launch of Roche's Antibody Cocktail in India priced at Rs. 59,750 per dose for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in patients who are at high risk. "The first batch of the Antibody Cocktail (Casirivimab and Imdevimab) is available in India while a second batch will be available by mid-June," Cipla and Roche stated.
Cipla to distribute the Antibody Cocktail across the country
"In total, they can potentially benefit 2,00,000 patients as each of the 1,00,000 packs that will be available in India offers treatment for two patients," it stated. Cipla will distribute the product by leveraging its strong distribution strengths across the country, it added.
Here is how the multi-dose pack has been priced
The price for each patient dose [a combined dose of 1,200 mg (600 mg of Casirivimab and 600 mg of Imdevimab)] will be Rs. 59,750 including taxes. The maximum retail price for the multi-dose pack (each pack can treat two patients) is Rs. 1,19,500 inclusive of all taxes. As per the statement, the drug will be available through leading hospitals and COVID-19 treatment centers.
Drug has received EUA in US and several EU countries
The Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO) had recently provided an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Antibody Cocktail (Casirivimab and Imdevimab) in India. It has also received a EUA in the US and several EU countries.
'Optimistic that the cocktail can help minimize hospitalizations'
"We are optimistic that the availability of the Antibody Cocktail (Casirivimab and Imdevimab) in India can help in minimizing hospitalization," said V Simpson Emmanuel, Managing Director, and CEO, Roche Pharma India. "We are also optimistic that its availability can ease the burden on healthcare systems and play a key role in the treatment of high-risk patients before their condition worsens," he further said.
Cocktail will be used to treat mild to moderate COVID-19
Umang Vohra, MD, and Global CEO Cipla said, "We look forward to leveraging our solid marketing and distribution strengths in India to provide broader, equitable access to this innovative treatment option in the country." The Antibody Cocktail is to be administered for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (aged 12 years or older, weighing at least 40 kg).
It can shorten duration of symptoms by four days: Vohra
The drug is to be administered to patients who are confirmed to be infected with SARS-COV2 and who are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19 disease and do not require oxygen. Vohra said, "It has been shown to help high-risk patients before their condition worsens, reducing the risk of hospitalization and fatality by 70 percent and shortening the symptom duration by four days."
