Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited (BPL), a sister concern of Beximco Group, is exporting remdesivir IV injection "Bemsivir," an anti-viral drug for treating hospitalized Covid-19 patients, to Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Venezuela.
Originally developed by US-based Gilead Sciences, remdesivir is a direct acting antiviral drug that inhibits viral RNA synthesis, and US FDA has granted this drug an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for treating the severe Covid-19 patients, said a statement of the company.
A single vial costs between $55 to $65 while a patient usually requires a course of 6 or 11 vials, depending on the severity of disease, it added.
“We are committed to saving lives by providing access to remdesivir in Bangladesh as well as patients in other countries,” said Nazmul Hassan, managing director of Beximco Pharmaceuticals.
"Being the first producer of generic remdesivir in the world, making this crucial drug accessible and affordable to patients in many middle and low income countries has been a significant milestone for us,"he added.
On May 21, Beximco Pharma launched remdesivir in Bangladesh upon receiving an emergency use approval from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) and became the first in the world to introduce a generic version of the drug.
The company has been providing Bemsivir free of cost to government-designated hospitals treating Covid-19 infected patients.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Beximco Pharma has taken various proactive measures to provide the latest, evidence-based treatment options for patients infected with the novel virus.
The company is committed to fighting this pandemic, in all possible ways, employing its competitive R&D and manufacturing skills.
Beximco Pharma, a leading exporter of pharmaceuticals products has a global footprint in more than 50 countries and has been accredited by the leading global regulatory authorities including US FDA, Malta Medicines Authority (EU), TGA (Australia), Health Canada, GCC (Gulf) and TFDA (Taiwan).