Baricitinib, which is used along with the Remdesivir to treat the Covid-19 patients, received an approval from the health ministry’s CDSCO for restricted emergency use only. As the pandemic situation of Covid-19 is increasing continuously in India, the medical infrastructure of India has collapsed and India is now facing a huge shortage of essential medicines, medical oxygen and medical equipment like ventilator and so on. Eli Lilly, an American pharma pioneer, decided to tie up with the Indian Pharma giant Cipla to meet the growing demands of the essential medicines required in India. A licensed agreement was signed in between the Cipla and Eli Lilly, to expand access to Covid-19 treatment in India. Under this licensed agreement, Cipla would be able to manufacture and commercialize the drugs Baricitinib, which is used in the treatment of Covid-19 along with the Remdesivir. The license would-be royalty free and non-exclusive.
Cipla announced yesterday that the company has signed a licensed agreement with the American pharma company Eli Lilly to expand the access to treat the increasing covid-19 patients in India. Baricitinib is an American drug used for treatment of Covid-19, will now be used in India to treat the Covid-19 patients along with the Remdesivir injection. Researchers said that the Baricitinib drug is much effective with combination of Remdesivir and helps curing the patient faster. Baricitinib was notably issued as a restricted drug only for emergency use, by the health ministry’s CDSCO with the Remdesivir for Covid-19 treatment of the patients who require invasive mechanical ventilation, supplemental oxygen or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
Cipla officials said that they would increase their production so that majority of the patients get this treatment, and also the drug is available in market without further shortage. Umang Vohra, MD and Global CEO of the Cipla Limited said that Cipla’s core purpose of “Caring of Life” is to provide access to high quality treatment and medication to all those suffering from the pandemic. Vohra also added that Cipla will do its best to provide the best possible medication with the tie up done with the Eli Lilly company to all the needy people in India. In India, Baricitinib is currently registered to treat the adult patients with moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. Baricitinib is an oral medication and is not yet approved for Covid-19 treatment, but has been given restricted permission for emergency use by FDA.
Nacto Pharma Ltd., a homegrown pharma company also received an a restricted emergency use approval for Baricitinib tablets of 1mg, 2mg and 4mg strengths from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). As India is facing a huge shortage of essential medicines to tackle the Covid-19 condition, many other countries like Canada, UK, the US along with the other Gulf and EU countries have extended their hands for support. Still there are numerous patients in India who die because of the lack of essential medicines, which has eventually risen the mortality rate in India. Major metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai are also among the ones who is facing lack of essential medicines.
