Date:15/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/10/15/stories/2004101500590300.htm

Back Ranbaxy discontinues rofecoxib formulations

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Oct. 14

RANBAXY Laboratories Ltd has decided to discontinue all its rofecoxib formulations with immediate effect from India.

The company will also discontinue marketing rofecoxib formulations in Peru, Myanmar, and Jordan, where it has a small market share.

In a statement issued by it, Ranbaxy has also advised that all patients who are currently taking Ranbaxy's rofecoxib formulations should consult their physicians for alternative medications.

The withdrawal of the drug by the company comes close to a decision by the Ministry of Health to impose a total ban on sale of rofecoxib - the generic version of Merck's Vioxx with immediate effect.

This decision was subsequent to the US-based Merck recalling its arthritis drug Vioxx, from the market after it discovered that prolonged usage of the drug caused serious side effects such as heart attacks and strokes.

In India, there are about 30 companies manufacturing generic or chemically equivalent version of the drug with Ranbaxy, Torrent and Unichem being the main players. Others such as Ind Swift, Panacea Biotec, Dr Reddy's Labs, Lyka Labs and Nicholas Piramal also have different branded versions of the drug. The total market size of this drug is estimated to be at about Rs 90 crore.