JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd has slashed the price of a drug Azmarda, used in patients who suffered heart failure, by about 50 per cent.
“Azmarda, which contains the patented molecule Saccubutril-Valsartan, is indicated for heart failure. After the price reduction, Azmarda 50 mg will cost about ₹39.60 per tablet as compared to the present price level of ₹78 per tablet,” a company statement said on Thursday.
“This move will significantly reduce the overall monthly treatment cost from ₹4,500 to ₹2,200,” Dilip Singh Rathore, President (Domestic Business) of JB Pharma, said.
To go off-patent
The molecule is expected to go off-patent in January 2023. In April 2022, JB Pharma acquired the Azmarda brand from Novartis AG, Switzerland, for the India region for a consideration of ₹246 crore.