Mumbai: Molnupiravir, the first oral antivirus for the treatment of covid mild to being agreed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seems to have been bombed in the domestic market.
This is far different from the first two waves when Covid therapy has registered phenomenal sales.
Oral antivirus pills were developed by Merck and their partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, and were mentioned as GameChanger.
But sales only numbered RS 46 Crore in January – the first full month of launch.
This, even when the third wave starts.
Covid-portfolio of drug companies – including faviprivar antivirus and remdesivir, and others such as Tocilizumab – Big sales are registered for two previous waves, with their own Favipiravir nets more than RS 350 Crore sales in a month for Glenmark for April.
Now there is a large inventory of Molnupiravir antivirus on the market, with potential losses because of drugs estimated at around Rs 500 Crore, industrial experts told TII.
Anticipating large demand due to the increasing third wave case, several drug companies produced and the substantial amount caused.
But antivirus did not take off like a covid drug which was launched beforehand for several reasons, with fewer doctors who prescribe it quoted serious security issues.
As soon as the drug received regulatory approval at the end of December, failing to make it a protocol of the treatment of ICMR national tasks.
Furthermore, during the third wave, most covid patients have not shown severe symptoms, such as the two deadly waves before.
This can have a negative impact on his retail sales, more experts.
Interestingly, antivirus pills are one of the most affordable among Covid therapy, with prices around Rs 1,400 for full courses, and launched by around 15 companies including hetero, Sun Pharma, Manukind, Cipla, Natco, and Dr.
Reddy in early January.
Hetero-based Hyderabad registered the highest molnupiravir sales at Rs 14 Crore, followed by Natco and Manukind Pharma (see Graph).
Data from Stockist shows that hetero also has the first drive advantage in the retail market.
Overall, Domestic Pharma retail markets grew more than 20% in January to touch almost RS 16,000 Crore – 21% growth month to month, data released from Iqvia.
“This is a pandemic danger.
The industry prepares a surge, but requests may or is not there.
But in this case, the negativity of Molnupiravir appears after the ICMR does not include it in the protocol,” said an industrial official.
The official added that the drug has a two-year shelf life, so expiration is not a problem like now.
Furthermore, the potential affected by the industry can be substantially more if investment in raw materials and active pharmaceutical materials is taken into account.
Large stocks are understood to lie on the chemistry and stockist level, with bad retailers.
Oral antiviral is considered a licking of potential games globally in the treatment of covid as other antivirus, remdesivir, managed intravenously, and in hospital settings.