Cadila launches new drug for tuberculosis treatment

Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a Gujarat-based pharma company, today launched Risorine, the first indigenously prepared drug for treatment of tuberculosis in the country.

"With the launch of Risorine, which is world's first boosted Rifampicin containing fixed dose combination, it promises to alter the way tuberculosis is treated at a global level," Cadila Pharma Chairman Indravada Modi told reporters here.

"Tuberculosis is a major cause of many illnesses and deaths worldwide. Globally, 9.2 million new cases and 1.7 million deaths from TB occurred in 2006," Modi said.

"India is home to over 3.4 million tuberculosis patients which is about one fifth of the global figure, which makes it the most TB prevalent country," he said adding in the given situation, launch of this new drug is an endeavour to combat tuberculosis in a more efficient and cost effective manner.