Beximco Pharmaceuticals announces the launch of remdesivir (under the brand name Bemsivir), an antiviral drug, for the treatment of COVID-19. With this introduction, Beximco Pharma is the first company in the world to launch a generic version of remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19.
The launch, which was anticipated in the Company’s announcement on 4 May 2020, follows the grant of Emergency Use Authorisation by the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), the regulatory authority in Bangladesh, for Beximco Pharma’s remdesivir IV injection (under the brand name Bemsivir) received on 21 May 2020.
Emergency approvals will help to broaden the use of remdesivir in hospitalised patients, especially in developing and least developed countries where access to breakthrough, advanced drugs remains a major challenge.
Beximco Pharma is donating remdesivir (Bemsivir) to the Bangladesh Government for supply only to Government hospitals free of charge. Remdesivir (Bemsivir) will not be available through retail pharmacies, in compliance with the directives from the DGDA.
Beximco Pharma has already launched the anti-viral drug favipiravir (under the brand name Viraflu), as well as the repurposed antimalarial drug hydroxychlorquine (under the brand name Kovicin) and anti-parasitic drug ivermectin (under the brand name Ivera) as potential treatments for COVID-19.