DCGI approves Hetero’s drug for treatment of adults hospitalised due to Covid-19

Hyderabad: Hetero, a globally renowned vertically integrated pharmaceutical organization announced on Monday that the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has issued approval for restricted use, Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the generic version of Tocilizumab in India.

This authorization will enable the medical practitioners to use the generic drug Tocilizumab for the treatment of Covid-19 in hospitalized adults, who are receiving systemic corticosteroids and require supplemental oxygen, non- invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation, or Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), Hyderabad-based Pharmaceutical company said in a release here.

Dr. B. Partha Saradhi Reddy, Chairman, Hetero Group said, this approval is extremely crucial for supply security in India considering a global shortage of Tocilizumab. We will be working closely with the Government to ensure equitable distribution, he said.

Hetero’s TOCIRA (Tocilizumab) will be marketed by its associate company ‘Hetero Healthcare’ in India with the support of its strong distribution network across the country.

Hetero’s biologics arm ‘Hetero Biopharma’ will be manufacturing the drug at its dedicated biologics facility, based at Jadcherla here.

Hetero’s Tocilizumab 400mg/20ml is the biosimilar version of Roche’s Actemra/RoActemra, and will be available from September end. (UNI)