Carethics

World's biggest drug maker, Pfizer has won the patent for its drug named Maraviroc (a drug that is second line of treatment for HIV or AIDS patients) reports Business Standard. Now it can sell the drug without competition, especially without copies by generic drug makers. Important fact is European patent office is yet to give patent to the same drug. Maraviroc, the first in a new class of oral HIV medicines developed in the last ten years, is expected to become a major blockbuster HIV/AIDS drug globally. Last year as well, GSK has tried to patent its drug HIV drug Combivir but withdrew the petition after agitation from Indian patient groups. Patent of this drug will see protest coming out from patient quarters, as already most HIV patients in the country can’t afford the treatment costs.

And not surprisingly after the news, Pfizer India stock rose 55.05 rupees, or 7.7 percent, to close at 772.25 rupees on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Live Mint has reported on Monday that Apollo DKV Insurance Co., will provide policy holders with advice on their health, diet, nutrition, and other related stuff. Advice will be online, on phone as well as in person consultations with experts. Target is clear: to gain marketing edge with other insurance companies as well as to reduce claims.

Insurance companies have been trying to reduce the claim payouts for sometime now. For every Rs100 collected in premiums until a year ago, health insurance firms say they were typically paying out claims of Rs120-140. Plus lack of clearly defined and widely accepted standards of care and pricing, also makes health insurance business a tough nut to crack.