Zydus launches diabetes drug at Rs 7/day, 1/6th of MNCs' price

Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila is launching an anti-diabetic drug, teneligliptin, at an aggressive price of Rs 7 per day, almost 1/6th the price at which the established gliptins by MNCs are sold. The company said the pricing of the "breakthrough' drug, Tenglyn, is aimed at "making it affordable and accessible to diabetic patients".

The drug is priced one-third of the price charged by other domestic companies, including Glenmark Pharma and Ajanta, which are selling the same drug, teneligliptin, for around Rs 20 for a day's therapy. Experts say with competition, prices of these drugs could come down later, but as of now companies are "waiting and watching" the development.

Teneligliptin, a third-generation new oral anti-diabetic drug, was first launched by Glenmark in June, priced aggressively at nearly Rs 20 for a day's therapy (Rs 7,263 per year). As against this, all gliptins being sold in the market are priced around Rs 45 for a day's therapy, taking the cost of treatment for patients to nearly Rs 16,500 per year. With the Zydus launch, diabetics who are prescribed the gliptin can expect to make more savings. The company has been able to offer the drug at the "affordable price because of its indigenous cost-effective API (raw material) it uses", a Zydus official told TOI.

Gliptins have shown promise in achieving glycemic control without deteriorating beta cell function and is one of the most recent advancements in diabetes care and management, the company said. Research in the field of anti-diabetic therapy seeks to address the problems of hypoglycemia, GI side-effects, lactic acidosis, weight gain, CV risks, which pose a major challenge in the treatment of diabetes.

The economic burden of diabetes is high in India as most patients pay out of pocket, and due to lack of medical reimbursement. Worse, the cost of treatment also includes consultation, investigations, drugs, monitoring, complications, while the complications related to the disease may increase it substantially. However, since the molecule has not been used extensively right now across the world, it's safety data needs more scrutiny, doctors say.

Overall, the oral anti-diabetic market in which teneligliptin is the new entrant, is valued at approximately Rs 5,000 crore, increasing at 20% per annum, while the gliptin family is at Rs 1,200 crore, growing at 25%.

TOI: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Zydus-launches-diabetes-drug-at-Rs-7/day-1/6th-of-MNCs-price/articleshow/49867211.cms