India
Ranbaxy launches diabetes drug Volix in India
By IANS
Jan 24, 2006, 20:44

Pharmaceutical major Ranbaxy Tuesday announced the launch of its branded product Volix for treatment of diabetes in India, which health specialists say could become the diabetes capital of the world.

"The product, a novel Alpha-Glucosidase inhibitor introduced for the first time in India, will be available in dosages of 0.2 milligram (mg) and 0.3 mg tablets," said Ranbaxy in a statement.

Hyperglycemia is widely prevalent in diabetes patients who have a high degree of glucose (sugar) concentration in the blood.

The avoidance of high blood glucose levels after meals is one of the main advantages of the drug.

"Volix further expands Ranbaxy's strategic diabetes portfolio and reiterates the company's commitment to strengthen and build on its existing diabetes franchise," said Sanjeev Dani, Ranbaxy's regional director for India and Middle East.

At present there are about 150 million diabetic patients worldwide, of which, 33 million are in India alone.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, the number of diabetics worldwide would increase to 300 million by 2025, with India set to become the diabetes capital of the world.

In July 2005, Nihon Pharmaceutical Industry Ltd. (NPI), a joint venture between Ranbaxy and Nippon Chemiphar Limited (NC), launched Voglibose tablets under the brand name Vogseal in Japan.

This is Ranbaxy's first generic product in the Japanese pharmaceutical market to have gained market leadership amongst competing generic products, with a market share of 36 percent.

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