<p>Indian drug developer Hetero said on Monday it has received emergency use approval from health authorities to make a generic version of Roche Holding AG's Covid-19 drug.</p>.<p>Hetero expects to make the treatment, tocilizumab, available in India by the end of the month under the brand name Tocira. Tocilizumab has been facing a global shortage as the highly contagious Covid-19 Delta variant drives up cases in several countries.</p>.<p>"This approval is extremely crucial for supply security in India considering a global shortage of Tocilizumab. We will be working closely with the government to ensure equitable distribution," Hetero Group Chairman, B Partha Saradhi Reddy said.</p>.<p>Covid-19 cases in India have declined from levels hit during the second wave in April and May, although health experts believe that the country should brace for a third wave by October.</p>.<p>Roche's blockbuster arthritis drug, tocilizumab, cuts the risk of death among patients hospitalised with severe Covid-19 along with shortening the recovery time and reducing the need for mechanical ventilation.</p>.<p>Tocira will be made by Hetero's unit at its Hyderabad facility.</p>.<p>Hetero, which makes Covid-19 treatments like remdesivir and favipiravir, had also sought emergency approval for Merck's Covid-19 drug molnupiravir in July.</p>.<p><em>With PTI inputs</em></p>
<p>Indian drug developer Hetero said on Monday it has received emergency use approval from health authorities to make a generic version of Roche Holding AG's Covid-19 drug.</p>.<p>Hetero expects to make the treatment, tocilizumab, available in India by the end of the month under the brand name Tocira. Tocilizumab has been facing a global shortage as the highly contagious Covid-19 Delta variant drives up cases in several countries.</p>.<p>"This approval is extremely crucial for supply security in India considering a global shortage of Tocilizumab. We will be working closely with the government to ensure equitable distribution," Hetero Group Chairman, B Partha Saradhi Reddy said.</p>.<p>Covid-19 cases in India have declined from levels hit during the second wave in April and May, although health experts believe that the country should brace for a third wave by October.</p>.<p>Roche's blockbuster arthritis drug, tocilizumab, cuts the risk of death among patients hospitalised with severe Covid-19 along with shortening the recovery time and reducing the need for mechanical ventilation.</p>.<p>Tocira will be made by Hetero's unit at its Hyderabad facility.</p>.<p>Hetero, which makes Covid-19 treatments like remdesivir and favipiravir, had also sought emergency approval for Merck's Covid-19 drug molnupiravir in July.</p>.<p><em>With PTI inputs</em></p>