Critical Heart Failure drug gets Cheaper, JB Pharma cuts prices of Azmarda by 50 percent

Mumbai: Treatment of Heart Failure will get more affordable in India, as makers of the heart failure drug Azmarda, JB pharma, has announced a substantial reduction in the price of the critical heart failure drug by approximately 50 percent 

After the price reduction, Azmarda (Saccubutril-Valsartan®), 50 mg will be available at INR 39.6 per tablet as compared to INR 78 per tablet. Azmarda, which contains the patented molecule Saccubutril- Valsartan® is indicated for Heart failure which ails 8 to 12 million people in the country.

Azmarda is indicated in adults with long-term heart failure who have symptoms of the disease to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in patients with chronic heart failure (NYHA Class II-IV) and reduced ejection fraction.

HF patients were traditionally prescribed only ARBs / Ace Inhibitors as the main medication. Sacubitril+ Valsartan, launched in 2017, is considered superior to ARBs/AIs in raising Ejection Fraction, hence highly effective for reduced EF patients. Sacubitril+ Valsartan is currently prescribed to 30-35% of such patients while doctors believe the share can go up to 50-65% with the right pricing.

Commenting on the move, Dilip Singh Rathore, President – Domestic Business, JB Pharma, said, "Being a leading player in the cardiac segment, JB has decided to take the lead in making their Azmarda drug more accessible and affordable for heart failure patients in India. This is in line with our strategy of providing innovative and quality treatment to a larger patient pool at the most affordable price points. With this move, the overall monthly treatment cost will reduce significantly from INR 4500 to INR 2200. The HF drug also helps in reducing hospitalization cost by around INR 1,00,000 at the minimum.".

The company also plans to open 300+ Heart Failure Clinics to facilitate early detection and intervention of the disease

"Heart Failure is a devastating condition and it's important to also increase awareness about the condition. Thus, JB will also institute over 300+ 'Heart failure' clinics across the country so that patients are able to detect the condition early and make informed health decisions.", Dilip Singh Rathore further added.