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The President, Mr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, with the Ranbaxy Science Foundation Chairman, Dr Nityanand, at the Ranbaxy Research Awards for 2002 & 2003 in the Capital on Friday. - Kamal Narang

New Delhi , Oct. 8

RANBAXY Laboratories Ltd is open to entering into tie-ups with Indian pharmaceutical companies wishing to tap the international markets by distributing their products there.

Speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of the Ranbaxy Science Foundation awards event, Dr Brian Tempest, Managing Director and CEO, Ranbaxy, said, "We have several regional offices across the world and representatives from those offices are in touch with companies looking to expand abroad."

He added that instead of entering into distribution deals with foreign generic companies, these companies could join hands with Indian companies.

"After all, we are among the ninth largest generic company in the US today. We are looking at various opportunities to grow," he said.

Rofecoxib controversy: On the recent controversy surrounding Merck's painkiller and arthritis drug, Vioxx and Ranbaxy's generic version of Rofecoxib, Dr Tempest reiterated that the company has already asked doctors to use the medicine for short-term treatment only.

"Regulators across the world are reacting differently and we are in the process of getting more data on the side-effects of Rofecoxib. We will take a decision after a detailed internal study."

Dr Tempest said that one of the options could be to follow Merck's steps and withdraw the drug, as there are several other inhibitors available for the same drug.

Meanwhile, the Drug Controller-General of India has already set up a committee to look into the issue of banning Rofecoxib manufactured by generic companies and a decision is expected shortly.

`Develop region-specific drugs': Ranbaxy Science Foundation today presented research awards to scientists working in the fields of medical research, clinical research and pharmaceutical sciences.

Addressing the audience, the President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, asked the scientist community to work towards finding effective drugs against diseases specific to the region at affordable prices.

"Since the majority of the population in the country fall below the poverty line, drugs for common diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS and coronary heart diseases should be made available at affordable prices," he said.

Stressing on the need for research aimed at finding affordable solutions to region-specific diseases, Dr Kalam said, "It's we who have to find effective drugs against the problems that prevail in our country such as malaria and tuberculosis."

He asked the scientists to work on `gene chip' to fight against coronary heart disease as it is an emerging problem, especially among the younger generation.

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Ranbaxy offers tie-ups to distribute drugs abroad

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