Cipla announced the launch of ‘Qvir’, a novel 4 drug kit for treating HIV/AIDS. This kit consists of two tablets, one containing a combination of Tenofovir plus Emtricitabine and the other containing a combination of Atazanavir plus Ritonavir. The per kit costs for Rs.158 and is available in the market.
Both the tablets are packed together in one strip which represents a single day’s treatment. The kit is manufactured in Patalganga, Cipla's world class manufacturing facility.
Since these tablets are packaged together in one strip, the patient does not have to remember which tablet he took — and cannot mistakenly take two of the same tablet. Also, the patient cannot run out of any one of the tablets. If the patient has to travel, the strips are convenient to carry.
Commenting on the introduction of ‘Qvir Kit’, Dr Y K Hamied, chairman and managing director, Cipla said, “While we are committed to making drugs affordable and accessible, we also endeavour to have more options for HIV infected patients which are potent, effective, patient-friendly and easy to take.”
The number of HIV infected people at the end of 2010 was about 34 million people and there were 2.7 million new infections in that year. HIV patients have to take multiple medicines lifelong. Every year about five to 10 per cent of patients fail their first line treatment due to various reasons such as missing doses and the virus developing resistance. Qvir is an option for first line treatment and can also be used as a second line treatment in cases which have been treated by a specific combination therapy commonly used in India. Studies of this combination regimen have shown that it is effective and well tolerated by over 80 per cent of patients using it.
Cipla has been recognized worldwide not only for introducing HIV/AIDS treatment at a fraction of the international prices, but also for pioneering the 3-in-1 combinations such as ‘Triomune’ (Stavudine + Lamivudine + Nevirapine) & ‘Duovir-N’ (Zidovudine + Lamivudine + Nevirapine) in 2001 and Trioday (Tenofovir + Lamivudine + Efavirenz) in 2009. Further, Cipla’s introduction of the ‘Duovir-E Kit’ (Ziodovudine + Lamivudine + Efavirenz) in 2004 and the ‘Odivir Kit’ (Didanosine + Lamivudine + Efavirenz) in 2003 were significant contributions towards managing and living with HIV/AIDS.