Nepal’s first-ever manufactured anti-cancer drug in distribution

KATHMANDU: The distribution of first-ever domestically manufactured anti-cancer drugs started in Nepal last Tuesday coinciding with International Childhood Cancer Day. Tizig Pharma initiated the distribution of the drug which has ended the compulsion for cancer patients in Nepal to procure expensive drugs from abroad. Tizig Pharma's executive director Shailesh Vaidya shared that they started manufacturing and distributing anti-cancer drugs in Nepal for the first time in the country. A factory set up in Kavrepalanchok district began manufacturing the drug in tablet and capsule form after reaching technology transfer agreement with Indian pharmaceutical company — SP Accure Labs. Vaidya further shared that they were considering producing the anti-cancer drug in injection form too. The company claims that domestically produced drugs will be less costly than those brought from abroad. Furthermore, there will be less possibility for drug shortage in the market as production has begun locally. Bharatpur Cancer Hospital's executive chairperson, Dr Bishnu Dutta Poudel, said it was a very good development that anti-cancer drugs were being manufactured in Nepal. He suggested the manufacturers pay attention to the quality of the drugs. Similarly, oncologist Dr Madan Piya echoed the jubilant sentiments with Dr Poudel that anti-cancer drugs were now being manufactured in Nepal and viewed that priority should be accorded to the Nepalis for consumption of those drugs. Likewise, Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal Chairperson Prajwal Jung Pandey asserted that the production of anti-cancer drugs in Nepal showed that Nepal could manufacture any sort of drugs. He pointed out the need to make Nepal self-reliant in drugs by manufacturing drugs like anti-cancer drugs. Department of Drug Administration's Santosh KC urged the manufacturers of anti-cancer drugs to ensure the quality of the drugs. Tigiz Pharma said it has obtained approval for 27 molecules from the Department of Drug Administration for manufacturing of anti-cancer drugs. READ ALSO:

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