Aurobindo Pharma launches new division for AIDS awareness

Our Corporate Bureau

Hyderabad, May 7: AUROBINDO Pharma Ltd, the Rs 1,000-crore bulk drug major, has launched an exclusive anti-viral division — Imunus — to educate and to provide preventive drug care for HIV/AIDS patients in the country.

Speaking to press persons on Monday, APL director Srinivas Lanka said: “The company has formed an independent division supposed to be a non-profit association to participate in the nation’s endeavour to remove the stigma about the decease and to prevent its spreading.”

The company has earmarked about Rs 20 crore fund for the division. “The fund will be given by parent APL in the form of providing bulk drugs free of cost to this division which will be formalised,” said Mr Lanka. The medicines will be distributed freely through NGOs and governmental organisations besides it own centres, he added.

Further, to part finance the project of educating the people and networking between the NGOs, government, doctors and patients, the company plans to seek the support of major corporate bodies, who can also provide finances towards the cost of treatment.

Mr Lanka claims that only after the entry of APL into the AIDS drug business that the cost of treatment has been brought down heavily from Rs 10,000 per month to Rs 4,320 per month. Imunus would motivate patients to reach clinics through increased awareness thereby reduces the mortality and improves the quality of life, he added.

Mr Lanka said that, Imunus division, produces three classes of drugs-NRTI, NNRTI and PI and markets at a reasonable prices. It proposes to offer a comprehensive choice in HAART with over 12 options to fight AIDS, he explains.

As of now, the company is manufacturing five options: Zidovex, Lamivox, Nevirex, Stavex and Zixovex-L. However, seven more options-Didanosine, Efavirenz, Delavirdine, Indinavir, Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Nelfinavir — will be introduce to the market by end of this financial year in a phased manner.