Ranbaxy’s South African arm bags $133 million order
By IANSMonday, December 20, 2010
MUMBAI - Pharma major Ranbaxy Laboratories Monday said that its South Africa-based joint venture, Sonke Pharmaceuticals, has won a 913.5 million rand ($133 million) order in that country for supplying anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs for prevention and treatment of AIDS.
Anti-retroviral drugs are meant for treatment of infection by retroviruses, primarily HIV.
The South African government floated a 4.28 billion rand national ARV drugs tender earlier.
“Sonke Pharmaceuticals, a joint venture between Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals and Community Investment Holding, is the second largest local supplier of generic ARV medication in South Africa,” the company said in a regulatory filing.
The medicines will be manufactured in South Africa and at Ranbaxy facilities in India.
“We are humbled to be given this responsibility to produce, supply and distribute affordable ARVs in South Africa. As a socially responsible global pharmaceutical company, we are committed to the cause of alleviating the suffering due to HIV/AIDS and to bring high quality medication to those who need it the most,” said Arun Sawhney, managing director of Ranbaxy Laboratories.
