Nothing depressing about launch of Cipla’s Lexamil

With more and more psychiatrists favouring escitalopram as a first-line antidepressant, local pharmaceutical company Cipla Medpro (Pty) Ltd has released South Africa's first generic escitalopram, Lexamil.
Escitalopram offers many benefits, including fewer side effects, a quicker onset ofaction and better antidepressant efficacy.

Jerome Smith, Cipla Medpro CEO says that the company's psychiatry division currently caters to the antidepressant market with products like Depramil and Venlor. "Even though escitalopram has become more favoured amongst psychiatrists internationally, until now the local market has only been serviced by the originator with no alternatives available.

"With the price increase coming into effect this month, Lexamil's release is good news for patients as it is as efficacious as the originator product yet substantially more cost effective, providing patients with a saving of up to 55%. For any patient on chronic medication, a saving like this is hugely significant over the long term and is in keeping with our company ethos that affordable world class healthcare is right, not a luxury."

Cipla Lexamil will be available from beginning May 2008 in 10mg and 20mg dosages. Lexamil 10mg will be priced at R135 (SEP excl. VAT) and Lexamil 20mg at R165 (SEP excl. VAT).

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