Alembic Pharma Slashes the Price of Tofastar by 50% for Benefit of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

One of the leading pharmaceutical majors in India, Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited, has recently announced a 50% reduction in the prices of its Tofacitinib brand, Tofastar.

Tofastar 5mg tablets contain Tofacitinib Citrate 5mg; and is approved by DCGI for treatment of patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). It helps to reduce pain, tenderness, and swelling in the affected joints.

In an endeavor to make Tofacitinib treatment more affordable, Alembic is now introducing Tofastar 5 mg tablets at Rs. 19 per tablet, which is almost a thousand Rupees for 4 weeks of therapy.

Tofacitinib citrate contained in Tofastar is the citrate salt form of tofacitinib, an orally bioavailable inhibitor of Janus Kinase (JAK). Tofacitinib possesses immuno-modulatory and anti-inflammatory activities.

Several international guidelines including the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) recommend consideration of JAK inhibitors in appropriate Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. The use of JAK inhibitors may be applicable in patients with high levels of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anticitrullinated protein antibody (ACPA), high disease activity, early joint damage, and failure of conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), after risk assessment.

Mr. Vimal Wahi, VP –Sales & Marketing, from Alembic, said, “Alembic remains committed to alleviating the challenges faced by millions of rheumatoid arthritis patients in seeking access to essential medications. With the price drop of Tofastar, we aim to ensure that every rheumatoid arthritis patient can afford the highest quality medicine at a patient-friendly price. We will also be launching Tofacitinib extended release 11 mg as Tofastar OD for patient compliance very soon”.

References:

• Smolen JS, et al EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2019 update Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2020;79:685-699.
• Fraenkel L, et.al. 2021 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 Jul;73(7):1108-1123. doi: 10.1002/art.41752. Epub 2021 Jun 8. PMID: 34101376.
• Lau CS, et. al 2018 update of the APLAR recommendations for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Int J Rheum Dis. 2019 Mar;22(3):357-375. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.13513. Epub 2019 Feb 27. PMID: 30809944.