Roche sees Viracept re-established

Roche has seen the marketing licence for its protease inhibitor Viracept re-established by the European commission.

The licence was suspended in August following the discovery that some of the drug batches contained a substance called ethyl mesylate sulphonate.

The European commission’s decision follows the recommendation for Viracept’s re-introduction made by the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Human Medicinal Products.

Roche welcomed the news and stated its intentions to re-supply the HIV drug as soon as possible.

However the pharmaceutical company outlined that the timing of Viracept’s re-introduction would vary from country to country and patients could be waiting a few months until it becomes fully available again.

William M Burns, chief executive officer of Roche’s pharmaceutical division, expressed his delight in seeing Viracept regain its marketing authorisation.

“Our teams have worked diligently in manufacturing and in close collaboration with the health authorities, health care providers, NGO treatment providers and patient groups on the recall with the full intention of re-supplying this medication,” he added.

Last week, Roche published its financial figures for the first nine months of the year, with the company posting ‘strong’ sales growth for the period while restating its core-earnings per share target and outlook for the full year.