Drug manufacturer Beximco Pharma introduced the generic version of the wonder drug Sofosbuvir under the brand name “Sofovir C” for treating Hepatitis C.
The drug is available as tablet and devoid of side effects that are seen with existing injectable therapies, said an announcement of Beximco Pharma on Monday.
Sofosbuvir is a revolutionary drug recently launched by Gilead Sciences Inc, under its brand Sovaldi which is considered to be the most effective medication to treat hepatitis C with a cure rate of 90 per cent.
The breakthrough drug, however, costs $1,000 (Tk 80,000) per tablet in the developed market making it one of the most expensive medicines in the world.
But, in the country it is available at Taka 600 per tablet and the total cost of therapy would be Taka 50,400 for a 12-week course compared to that of Taka 67 lakh in the developed countries.
