Glaxo had launched its brand, Epivir (lamivudine), in India last month though Cipla had pipped it to the post with an early launch of its brand, Lamivir, at less than half the multinational's price. Epivir (150 mg) commands a price of Rs 4,920 (local taxes extra) for 60 tablets, a whopping 146 per cent higher than competitor Cipla's Lamivir brand costing approximately Rs 2,000 for 60 tablets.

AIOCD officials told The Financial Express that the trade body has decided to discuss the issue with both the companies concerned and the drugs controller. The trade body is keen to distribute such products through the normal channel, given that patients in the interiors may not be able to access the product if its sale is restricted to select outlets.

Moreover, AIOCDofficials say that retail chemists are confident of adhering to the confidentiality and other clauses associated with the distribution of such drugs.

Currently, Glaxo does not offer Epivir through normal distribution channels because of its sensitive nature and the necessity of ensuring that it is used properly and under expert advice. The anti-AIDS drug is only made available ex-depots, directly to patients, doctors and specialist clinics, though the smuggled product is still offered in the grey market at high prices by some chemists, the company maintained.

Cipla, on the other hand, distributes Lamivir via select retailers given the sensitive nature of the drug. Cipla's Lamivir is available through 105 retail chemists across the country, though these could normally be the ones close to hospitals. The commission involved is understood to be lower.

Earlier, Glaxo also said that restricted distribution was necessary given that "patient compliance is essential in a long-term therapy such as this.Non-compliance can lead to dangerous mutations of the virus and resistant strains developing. Restricted distribution is something we are doing of our own volition as a responsible manufacturer and one that has brought this discovery to the world".

Significantly, Epivir comes in an all-Hindi pack, with corresponding translations in several Indian languages. This, experts say, is an obvious attempt to curb possible suitcase exports of the Indian Epivir, though there is no official confirmation.

Glaxo's lamivudine (also known as 3TC) is also undergoing clinical trials in several countries for the treatment of hepatitis B, an afflication estimated to have 42.5 million Indian carriers.