Price War in Favipiravir Space to Combat COVID-19

The way COVID-19 is graduating from one level to another, the healthcare and medicine trade seems to be entering into the next phase as well. There is a severe price war happening in the category of Favipiravir, which used to treat Covid-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms. More brands are now launching the oral antiviral tablet in the market and the prices of each introduced product is showing a decrease.

Initially, it was Glenmark Pharma which launched the drug for Rs 103 per tablet in June, it revised the price recently to Rs 79 a tablet. This was followed by Pune's Brinton Pharma got a nod for the tablets this week and they have chosen to price it for Rs 59 per tablet. But the latest news in this direction is an entry of another Mumbai based company Jenburkt Pharma wich has launched Favipiravir under a brand name of Favivent for Rs 39 per tablet.

According to industry insiders, many more brands are lined up for launch, including one from Cipla. The prices are likely to remain competitive as a result. However, it is a sign of relief and Indian pharma industry's competitive edge as well, that is showing such results.

Jenburkt is making favipiravir (brand name Favivent) at a pharmaceutical plant which is compliant with USFDA (US Food and Drug Administration) in the state of Telangana. The medication will be available in the form of one strip of 10 tablets.

Earlier this year, the Drug Controller General of India approved the use of favipiravir – an antiviral drug developed in Japan and commonly used for treating influenza – for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of Covid-19 in India. Favipiravir is a broad spectrum anti-viral agent and selectively inhibits RNA polymerase of influenza virus and prevents viral replication.