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Cipla’s new malaria drug Mefliam Plus receives WHO approval

Cipla’s new malaria drug Mefliam Plus receives WHO approval

Written by Editorial Team |Updated : October 4, 2012 10:39 AM IST

A new anti-malarial drug developed by Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), a non-profit research and development organization, has received pre-qualification from the World Health Organisation (WHO). Drug firm Cipla today said. The new drug is a fixed dose combination of artesunate and mefloquine (ASMQ FDC) and is marketed by Cipla in India under the brand name Mefliam Plus.

WHO pre-qualification makes the drug eligible to be supplied globally to other markets under the WHO's anti-malaria programmes, UNICEF, etc.

"The pre-qualification announcement is a recognition that Mefliam Plus meets WHO's high quality standards and we aim to make this treatment widely available throughout Asia', said Jaideep Gogtay, medical director, Cipla.

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"The availability of this fixed dose combination will have a direct impact on patients, especially in Asia', said Bernard P coul, executive director, DNDi. "It addresses an important public health need in the region as it forms part of the malaria treatment arsenal necessary to control the disease."

Synriam, a arterolane maleate and piperaquine phosphate combination drug, had also been developed for the treatment of Malaria by maker Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. in collaboration with the government of India's Department of Science & Technology (DST). Both the two drugs reduce dosage to one tablet per day for three days. The other drugs require 2-4 tablets daily.