Cipla launches new HIV/AIDS pill.

Mumbai, Oct 11 (UNI) Pharma major Cipla today announced the launch of 'Viraday', an improved version of anti-HIV drug.

The new single pill will cost Rs. 5,000 for 30 tablets, which can be taken just once a day.

Announcing the launch, Dr J A Gogtay, Medical Director, Cipla said that the new drug is a combination of three drugs Tenofovir, Emtricitabine and Efavirenz, adding that formerly people with HIV virus had to take these drugs seperately.

Dr Gogtay said that 'Viraday' is the recommended first line regimen according to all new guidelines. It is also comparable to AZT or d4T based regimens in terms of efficacy, with improved tolerability, he added.

In addition, he also stressed that the pill potency had been tested for the last five years and its tolerability, durability and adherence among patients is also superior in comparison to other existing drugs.

Speaking on the occassion, Dr I S Gilada, Honorary Seceratary of the People's Health Organisation added that HIV/AIDS is today a manageable disease as a result of sustained awareness campaigns and the progresses made by drug companies in the last few years.

He drew attention to the fact that across Asia, only 28 per cent of the women are affected with the deadly virus, when compared to 40 per cent in India, which is an alarming figure.

Dr Gilada stressed that in the coming years, production and cost of HIV/AIDS will come down to benefit the common man as contries like Thailand, Brazil and India have finally joined the big league in researching a suitable anti-HIV/AIDS drug.

Padmabhushan Dr R D Lele, who diagnosed India's first AIDS case in 1986, advocated that the government of the day should take intiatives by rolling out subsidies to avail the drugs to people living with the viruses.

Opposing any form of further foreign charity to fight the problem, Dr Lele said that government and other Indian instutions are capable of putting in funds to make HIV/AIDS affordable to people below poverty line.

Prof K C Mohanty, Executive Chairman of PHO summed up that HIV/AIDS affected people are suffering less today as compared to the intial days as a result of awareness and availablity of drugs.

He said that globally there are 36 different forms of drugs available for treatment of people affected with the virus and it is for the people now to come forward and have their tests done voluntarily to contain spread of the virus.

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