Pfizer, Abbott stop sale of Corex, Phensedyl in India post ban

New Delhi, March 14

Drug majors Pfizer and Abbott have stopped the sale of their popular cough syrups Corex and Phensedyl, respectively, after the government banned over 300 fixed dose combinations (FDCs) drugs.

The two companies, however, said they are exploring “all options” to counter the impact of ban.

Pfizer today said it has stopped the sale of its Corex cough syrup that garnered sales of Rs 176 crore in the nine-month period ended December 31, and said the government’s move will have an adverse impact on it.

“The company is exploring all available options at its disposal... The prohibition is likely to have an adverse impact on the revenue and profitability of the company,” Pfizer said.

In view of the government ban on manufacture and sale of Corex, the “company has discontinued the manufacture and sale of its drug ‘Corex’ with immediate effect,” Pfizer said adding Corex has a well-established efficacy and safety profile in India for more than 30 years.

Abbott has also stopped the sale of its Phensedyl cough syrup.

Abbott spokesperson said: “Abbott is complying with all legal requirements related to the government notification.”

The company termed the Health Ministry’s decision to ban “certain fixed dose combinations drugs that have been already approved” as “unilateral approach”.

“We are evaluating the notification and exploring all available options,” the spokesperson said.

Some of these formulations have been the treatment of choice in specific medical conditions, Abbott said.

“We are concerned that patients may not have access to some medicines which have been approved by DCGI and safely and effectively used in India for years,” Abbott spokesperson said.

In a gazette notification on March 10, the government had, among others, banned manufacturing, sale and distribution of fixed dose combination of chlopheniramine maleate plus codiene syrup which is used in the cough syrups.