INDIAN PHARMA PRODUCING COVID - 19 DRUGS FOR MASSES

Known for its expertise in manufacturing and supplying quality generic drugs, Indian pharma sector is currently using the generic tool as a critical arsenal in the fight against COVID–19. At present, there are around 25 different drugs brands available in the Indian market to treat the COVID-19 patients, with many more in the pipeline.

- Dr Manbeena Chawla

According to a recent report by the UK based data analytics and consulting company GlobalData, infectious disease drugs have overtaken oncology as 2020’s top therapy area for contract service agreements (CSAs) as companies are shifting their current focus to developing treatments to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 may also be disrupting other therapy areas by reducing service agreements for other non-COVID-19 drugs, as clinical trials are being disrupted by the effects of the pandemic.

As a result, we are seeing many Indian pharmaceutical companies setting this as a top priority and working towards developing effective drugs for treating the dreadful disease. Known for its expertise in manufacturing and supplying quality generic drugs, Indian pharma sector is currently using the generic tool as a critical arsenal in the fight against COVID–19. At present, there are around 25 different drugs brands available in the Indian market to treat the COVID-19 patients, with many more in the pipeline.

However, this gamble on making COVID-19 treatment a priority might hinder the growth of the pharmaceutical companies in the long run. No doubt that the sales are getting bolstered by COVID-19 currently, it is likely that the real winners in the pharma sector will be the companies that are focused on expanding their existing marketed drug portfolio rather than those that have joined the race to develop a COVID-19 asset.

Remdesivir