Pharmaceutical companies across the globe have been spending lot of money in research to find out effective treatments for Hepatitis C. In India, more than 10 million people suffer from Hepatitis C, which was earlier considered to be an incurable problem.

Today, Zydus Cadila has launched a generic version of Gilead Sciences’ Hepatitis C drug Sofosbuvir in India. The drug has been launched under the brand name ‘SoviHep’. Both the companies, Zydus and Gilead Sciences, have signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement.

As per the agreement, manufacturing of Gilead Sciences’ Hepatitis C drug Sofosbuvir can be done and also allows the distribution of fixed-dose combination of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in 91 countries even in India.

The speciality division of the group, Zydus Heptiza, will be marketing the medicine. Zydus Heptiza, as said, is a speciality division of the company, having a complete range of brands for Hepatitis B and C. Experts said that the addition of the new generic drug may complete the portfolio.

Pankaj R Patel, chairman and managing director of the Zydus group, was of the view that innovations in healthcare have bene possible due to better therapy results and improved quality of life.

Patel said that they are glad to have partnered with Gilead Sciences. Their association has made it possible to provide the breakthrough therapy available to patients of hepatitis C in India at cost-effective rates.

Hepatitis C is also known as HCV. It is transmitted through exposure to infective blood through transfusions of HCV-contaminated blood and blood products. It can be through contaminated injections and sexual transmission is also possible, but is less common.

Treatment for hepatitis C generally involves oral medications and injections. It is the combination of oral medications and injections are used to fight the viruses. Treatment may also involve the use of other drugs to counter the decline blood cell count that happens due to hepatitis C drug.

If the condition has become severe and the disease has damaged the liver to such an extent that it cannot be treated then liver transplantation is the only option.