DCGI nod to two cheaper favipiravir versions priced at Rs 59, Rs 39 per tablets

To be available in 200 mg tablets, the drug will be sold at a maximum retail price of Rs 59 per tablet, Brinton Pharmaceuticals said in a statement.

Emerging favorable global clinical evidence suggests, Favipiravir is an effective treatment option in the management of mild-to-moderate COVID-19, it added.

In India, Favipiravir was first approved by the regulatory authorities in June 2020 under emergency use authorisation to treat COVID-19 patients, Brinton Pharmaceuticals said.

"Our strategic intent will be to improve the access through our strong distribution network that will help make Faviton available across all COVID treatment centers and our MRP is Rs 59 per tablet," Brinton Pharma CMD Rahul Kumar Darda said.

The company will be marketing this drug in India and will also export it, the statement said.

Faviton is a generic version of Avigan of Fujifilm Toyama Chemical Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Corporation, reports PTI.

The Indian regulator has shown a green flag for Favipiravir to many drugmakers including Cipla, Glenmark under the brand name FabiFlu- which sparked a controversy lately. Joining the fray even Dr Reddy's Labs had announced a partnership with FUJIFILM Corporation through FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical Co. Ltd. and Global Response Aid for the development, manufacture and sales of Avigan Tablets (generic name: favipiravir), a potential treatment of COVID-19.

On the other hand, Jenburkt Pharmaceuticals Ltd.​, a public listed company headquartered in Mumbai announced the launch of antiviral drug Favipiravir (brand name ​FaviventTM​) for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms at a price of ​Rs. 39/- per tablet​.

Jenburkt is the second in India to introduce Favipiravir (brand name ​FaviventTM​) for the treatment of COVID-19. ​FaviventTM is manufactured at a pharmaceutical plant that is compliant with US-FDA (U. S. Food and Drug Administration) and EDQM (The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare) standards located in the state of Telangana, with the highest safety and manufacturing protocols in place. According to Jenburkt, the medication will be available in the form of 1 strip of 10 tablets.

Earlier this year, the Drug Controller General of India approved the use of favipiravir – an antiviral drug developed in Japan and commonly used for treating influenza – for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 in India. Favipiravir is a broad-spectrum anti-viral agent and selectively inhibits RNA polymerase of influenza virus and prevents viral replication. Favipiravir has proven efficacy against a wide range of influenza viruses including strains resistant to existing anti-influenza drugs.

Commenting on the significance of this development, Mr. Ashish U. Bhuta, Chairman and Managing Director of Jenburkt Pharmaceuticals Ltd. said, "Our endeavor has always been to serve our patients – through them, we serve God, humanity and our nation. Given the current scenario of grave health concerns and economic challenges surrounding COVID-19 in India, if we as a pharmaceutical company cannot make a significant positive difference to the society, our company's very existence is inconsequential. It is only Conscious Capitalism and Innovation which can sustain the growth of any organization in the long run."

He added, "With the rising number of cases, our country's medical infrastructure and front-line warriors are under tremendous pressure at the moment. We hope the easy accessibility and affordable price point of an effective treatment such as ​FaviventTM ​will offer our citizens a timely, much-needed therapeutic solution."

"At Jenburkt, we think of philanthropy as a unique instrument of social innovation that leads to more resilient, healthy citizens, and our organization has a long legacy of giving back to society. We plan to work closely with local and government organizations, along with the medical community, to ensure that the product is made available to COVID-19 patients at the earliest", shared Mr. Ashish U. Bhuta in terms of a way forward with the product.

FaviventTM ​(Favipiravir 200 mg) can benefit patients showing mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. It will be available as a prescription-only drug and is to be administered in the prescribed dosage under a certified practicing doctor's supervision only with the informed consent of the patient. Countries across the world have a generally positive outlook on Favipiravir. Favipiravir has been approved for use against COVID-19 not just in India, but also in Japan, Russia and parts of the Middle East.