Glenmark Pharmaceuticals is a Mumbai based company that has received approval to manufacture the coronavirus drug. Favipiravir is a coronavirus drug that treats mild to moderate COVID-19 patients. The magic bullet, Favipiravir, comes under the brand name FabiFlu. This Glenmark drug will cost about Rs 103 per tablet. Glenmark India claims that this drug has shown 88% improvement during clinical trials. Will this drug be the most significant breakthrough to date? That’s what we are here to discuss. Let’s look at some facts, figures & information to print out the final verdict.
The Backstory of Coronavirus Drug – Favipiravir
FabiFlu is the first oral medication in India for treating COVID-19 patients. Dr. Vikas Maurya, director of Fortis Hospital Pulmonology and Sleep Disorders department, said,
“This drug was already being used in Japan for influenza. They have been using it in COVID-19 patients also. Even China was using it, and Russia had also given permission in May to use it. Antiviral drugs like Remdesivir and Favipiravir are not specific to COVID-19 but were being used for influenza.“
Doctor Vikas added that this coronavirus drug by Glenmark India worked like a charm for COVID-19 patients. Moreover, Dr. Maurya felt relieved after the launch of this Glenmark drug in India. In a talk with PTI, Dr. Vikas said,
“It is not a magic bullet as it is not the only thing we have to give. This is not a COVID-19 specific drug but is useful. How much it will be useful we will have to see.“
FabiFlu will be a prescription based medicine which will be available in hospitals and through retail chains.
FabiFlu – A Game Changer or Just Another Glenmark Drug?
Dr. Arvind Kumar, a famous lung surgeon, believes that this coronavirus drug won’t be a game-changer. Dr. Arvind said,
“If at all “game changer” can be used, it is for dexamethasone, which has shown a significant reduction in mortality and is available cheaply.“
He further added that this Glenmark drug will help some COVID-19 patients but won’t pull out miracles.
According to Glenmark India, they said,
“The antiviral offers broad-spectrum RNA virus coverage with clinical improvement noted across age groups 20 to >90 years. Favipiravir is given to Covid-19 patients with comorbid conditions such as diabetes and heart disease with mild to moderate Covid-19 symptoms. It offers a rapid reduction in viral load within four days and provides faster symptomatic and radiological improvement. Of most importance, Favipiravir has shown clinical improvement of up to 88% in Covid-19 mild to moderate cases.“
This coronavirus drug by Glenmark India will launch soon. Glenmark drug will be available at Rs 3,400 for 34 tablets. This drug is a result of solid pieces of evidence and support from all over the world.
Results of FabiFlu look promising, but will it be able to fulfill the expectations? See how coronavirus is affecting call centers in India.
