KATHMANDU, JULY 19
A pharmaceutical company has started manufacturing anti-cancer drugs for the first time in the country.
Organising a brief event in Kathmandu today, Tizig Pharma Pvt Ltd launched some of the anti-cancer drugs. Shailesh Vaidya, executive director of the company, said cancer patients would have access to the life-saving drugs in the market within one month. With cent per cent foreign investment, the company was incorporated for manufacturing drugs by entering into a technology transfer agreement with a leading anti-cancer manufacturing company in Hyderabad, India, as per the WHO guideline and prevailing law of Nepal.
According to Vaidya, the company has so far invested approximately Rs 320 million for construction of infrastructure and installation of equipment in an area spread over 16 ropani land at Nala of Banepa Municipality, Kavre. "It is a model pharmaceutical company of Nepal based on innovative and state-of-the-art technology in consonance with the Good Manufacturing Practice Standard of the WHO and the National GMP Code of Nepal. Manufacturing of other medicines are not permitted in the factory, which manufactures anti-cancer drugs due to toxicity," he informed.
The company has obtained approval for 15 molecules from the Department of Drug Administration to manufacture anti-cancer drugs. Of them, five are pharmacopeial and others non-pharmacopeial.
Vaidya said the price of the domestic drugs would be more affordable and accessible compared to foreign counterparts, which are mostly imported from India and other countries.
He added that high priority would be accorded to ensure quality, efficacy and safety of the drugs.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 20 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
