Indian companies well equipped to supply flu drug: Pharma body

Indian drug makers claim they have enough capacity to produce requisite doses of antiviral drug, oseltamivir, the generic version of Roche’s Tamiflu - the only medicine available to counter H1N1 Influenza A (swine flu).

Indian drug makers claim they have enough capacity to produce requisite doses of antiviral drug, oseltamivir, the generic version of Roche’s Tamiflu - the only medicine available to counter H1N1 Influenza A (swine flu).

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Major drug-makers like Ranbaxy and Cipla said they have the capacity to provide over two million capsules in the next few weeks.

“Large pharmaceutical firms such as Ranbaxy, Cipla and Roche have capacities to manufacture the number of doses required in the country,” Indian Drug Manufacturers Association Executive Director Gajanan Wakankar told PTI.

Gurgaon-based Ranbaxy said it can produce one million capsules in the next few weeks.

“Ranbaxy can provide one million capsules in the next few weeks to the Government of India. If further supplies are required, Ranbaxy is in a position to meet the demand in the coming few weeks,” Ranbaxy Laboratories President Ramesh Adige said.

Cipla Chairman and Managing Director Y K Hamied told PTI there is enough capacity in the country to meet the demand.

“If needed, we can produce 1.5 million doses of Antiflu (Cipla’s a branded generic version of Tamiflu) in four to six weeks time,” he said.