AstraZeneca Pharma India, Mankind Pharma announce distribution partnership for asthma medication Symbicort

AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited (AstraZeneca India) and Mankind Pharma Limited have embarked on a strategic collaboration for the exclusive distribution of AstraZeneca’s asthma medication, Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate combination). This partnership aims to leverage Mankind Pharma’s expansive distribution network to enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of asthma treatment across India, a country contributing significantly to the global asthma burden.

Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca India will retain the intellectual property rights and continue to be the Marketing Authorization Holder and import license holder for Symbicort. This collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to addressing the critical healthcare needs within the Indian market, where asthma represents a major public health challenge.

Dr. Sanjeev Panchal, Managing Director and Country President of AstraZeneca India, highlighted the partnership’s potential to bring innovative medicine to India rapidly while improving strategic access across the country. He emphasized AstraZeneca’s dedication to pioneering in science and leading in specialist disease areas, aiming for transformative outcomes for patients.

Mankind Pharma, known for its significant presence across the Indian market, including rural areas, is positioned to ensure Symbicort’s wide availability. Mr. Atish Majumdar, Sr. President – Sales & Marketing at Mankind Pharma, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the goal of providing access to quality treatments nationwide. He noted Symbicort’s dual mechanism of action and the benefits of its turbuhaler device, which delivers a higher proportion of respirable particles efficiently.

This partnership represents a significant step towards improving asthma management in India, where the disease’s prevalence and mortality rates highlight the need for enhanced treatment options and access. AstraZeneca’s global leadership in respiratory care, combined with Mankind Pharma’s extensive distribution capabilities, sets the stage for a potentially transformative impact on asthma care in India.

The strategic alliance between AstraZeneca India and Mankind Pharma for the distribution of Symbicort marks a pivotal moment in the healthcare sector, particularly for asthma management in India. By combining AstraZeneca’s innovative respiratory solutions with Mankind Pharma’s extensive distribution network, this partnership promises to address one of the country’s most pressing health challenges. This initiative not only aligns with both companies’ goals of enhancing patient outcomes but also sets a precedent for how collaboration in the pharmaceutical industry can lead to more effective healthcare delivery. As this partnership unfolds, it will be interesting to observe its impact on asthma care accessibility and quality, potentially setting a benchmark for similar collaborations in the future.