FDC Ltd launches 2 variants of Favipiravir; stock jumps 6 per cent

Domestic pharma major, FDC Limited on Tuesday after the market hours informed the bourses that the company has launched two variants of Favipiravir, a COVID-19 drug at Rs 55 per tablet. As a result of this development, the stock of FDC Limited jumped 6 per cent to Rs 336.95 on Wednesday during the early morning session.

The company has launched two variants under the brand name-PiFLU and Favenza, which will be used to treat patients having a mild to moderate COVID-19 disease.

Favipiravir is the only oral anti-viral treatment approved in India for the potential treatment of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 disease.

Glenmark Pharma was the first pharmaceutical company to launch Favipiravir under the brand name of ‘FabiFlu’ at Rs 103, which was later cut down to Rs 75. After Glenmark, companies like Cipla, Lupin and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries also launched their own variants of Favipiravir tablets. Lupin’s ‘Covihalt’ is priced at Rs 49 per tablet while Sun Pharma’s ‘FluGuard’ is priced as low as Rs 35 per tablet, which is the cheapest in India.

However, it is to be noted that Favipiravir has not been added to the Ministry of Health’s clinical management protocol due to the lack of enough clinical benefit evidence.