Roche AIDS drug may be pulled out of India

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Chennai, Aug 10: Roche India, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Swiss drug maker F Hoffmann-La Roche & Co (Roche), is likely to withdraw its anti-HIV AIDS drug Fortovase (Saquinavir) from the Indian market. The company has discontinued the supply of this drug in Europe citing commercial reasons. Roche is distributing the product through its marketing partner Taksal Pharma in India.

Industry sources told FE that Roche may take the drug off Indian shelves as it did in other markets. "Roche has announced the discontinuation of the production and supply of Fortovase some time in February.

The company found the returns from the drug commercialy unviable and had decided to discontinue its manufacturing and supply. It is logical that they would follow suit in India", industry sources said.

Roche, in its circular to medical fraternity had earlier said that the sale and distribution of Fortovase, the 200-mg soft-gel formulation of Saquinavir, will be discontinued. Roche has taken this action because the clinical demand for Fortovase has declined significantly and the killing of the drug is not the result of any safety or efficacy issues regarding the product. Fortovase is an anti HIV drug and is taken along with ritonavir and other antiretrovirals.