Novartis to launch Thalassemia drug tomorrow

New Delhi, Mar 29 (UNI) Novartis, Europe's third-largest drugmaker, will launch a Thalassemia drug for the Indian market tomorrow.

The drug, Defrasirox, under the brand name Asunra, will be available as tablets of 400mg and 100mg.

It got the approval from US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 3, 2005 and European Union on August 30, 2006.

''It is a major breakthrough for removing iron from the body in Thalassaemia Major patients; it is oral once a day, with less side effects and high efficacy,'' a statement said.

There are over 1,00,000 Thalassemia Major patients in the country and 10,000-12,000 new patients are born every year.

Four per cent Indian are Thalassemia carriers and there is 25 per cent chance of a Thalassemia Major to be born if both husband and wide are Thalassemia carrier.

UNI MP RAR KP1719