Roche Scientific Company (India) Pvt. Ltd. today announced the availability of the drug NeulastimŽ (pegfilgrastim) in India. NeulastimŽ,administered as a single fixed dose per chemotherapy cycle, is indicated for decreasing the incidence of febrile neutropenia (fever associated with a severe drop in infection-fighting white blood cells) in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs.
"NeulastimŽ will play an important role in supportive care of cancer patients, by providing tailored and more convenient protection against febrile neutropenia to the patients undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy" said Dr G. L. Telang, Managing Director, Roche Scientific Company (India) Pvt. Ltd..
Febrile Neutropenia is a serious side effect of chemotherapy treatment. In addition to killing cancer cells, chemotherapy also kills normal cells, including those that protect against infection. With a severe drop in white blood cells (cells which protect against infection), even a seemingly minor infection can become life threatening.