Novartis India facing shortage of drug ‘Simulect’ used on kidney transplant patients

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The India arm of Novartis AG, a multinational pharmaceutical corporation based in Switzerland, announced on October 26 that there is currently a shortage of its immunosuppressant drug 'Simulect 20 mg' in India.

The pharma firm said in an exchange filing: “This is to inform that Novartis India Limited is currently facing a shortage of one of its products -- ‘Simulect 20 mg’.

“However, the company is putting its best efforts to mitigate the supply issue on a sustainable basis,” it added.

Simulect is an intravenous prescription drug (it is a Basiliximab injection) that is widely used on kidney transplant patients. One vial of the Novartis drug costs between Rs 67,500 and Rs 68,000. It is used on transplant patients to ensure the body does not reject the new organ. Usually, two doses of Simulect injection are given to patients around the time of the operation.

Simulect (basiliximab) is a monoclonal antibody that regulates the immune system and is most often prescribed in combination with other medications to prevent organ rejection. Novartis explains, “Simulect is indicated for the prophylaxis of acute organ rejection in patients receiving renal transplantation when used as part of an immunosuppressive regimen that includes cyclosporine, USP (MODIFIED), and corticosteroids.”

The drug is available in single-dose vials in 10 mg and 20 mg strengths for intravenous administration after reconstitution. When injected, it impairs the response of the immune system to antigenic challenges.