Glenmark Pharmaceuticals will launch a 400 mg version of oral antiviral drug FabiFlu, which will be used to treat mild to moderate Covid-19 patients from next week in the country. With this, people will have a more relaxed dosage of 9 tablets (4.5 in the morning and 4.5 in the evening) followed by 2 tablets twice a day for 14 days. At present, the 200 mg dosage requires patients to take 18 tablets on the first day (9 in the morning and 9 in the evening) followed by 8 tablets each day for the next two weeks.
Explaining the significance of this development, Dr Monika Tandon, vice-president and head, Clinical Development, Global Specialty/ Branded Portfolio, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd, said, “Being the first company to launch Favipiravir in India, we continue to innovate and seek new treatment options for Covid-19 patients. Introducing this higher strength of FabiFlu is in line with these efforts to ensure a smoother experience for patients, by reducing their daily pill burden.” The 200 mg dosage of FabiFlu was developed in line with global formulations of the drug Favipiravir which had similar strength. The 400 mg version is a result of Glenmark’s own R&D efforts to improve treatment experience for patients in India, she added.