Pfizer Approval for Tofacitinib Amendment

New Delhi: In the latest development, Pfizer has earned approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) committee regarding the amendment in warning of Tofacitinib Tablet 5 mg. Following this nod by the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of CDSCO, now Dermatologists will be eligible for prescribing the drug as well, which was earlier limited to the prescriptions of Rheumatologist or Specialist in Internal medicine.

Pfizer has made the drug available in the market under the brand name of Xeljanz.

Tofacitinib is known to be useful in the treatment of certain types of arthritis. The drug is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. It is effective in keeping the pain or swelling of the joints as well. However, the medicine should be taken after due consultation only.

Psoriasis is a bodily condition that involves red skin patches topped with silvery scales. This condition may later develop into psoriatic arthritis.

Also Read: Tofacitinib may benefit Psoriatic Arthritis patients as monotherapy: LANCET study

The CDSCO committee asked for an amendment in the warning for selling this drug from the firm Pfizer. The firm presented its proposal with the amended warning to the Subject Expert Committee on CDSCO.

SEC in its 69th meeting held on 08.01.2021 at CDSCO HQ New Delhi, discussed all the proposals related to Analgesic and Rheumatology. It made some recommendations regarding the proposals as well.

The firm Pfizer presented the proposal for amendment in condition no. 4 of permission in Warning: To be sold by retail on prescription of Rheumatologist or Specialist in Internal medicine.

After detailed deliberation, the committee recommended approval for amendment in the Warning: To be sold by retail on prescription of Rheumatologist or Specialist in Internal medicine or Dermatologist only.

Pfizer Inc. is a multinational pharmaceutical corporation having its roots in America. The firm is definitely one of the largest pharmaceutical companies around the globe. It has its headquarters in Manhattan. The range of medicines and vaccines made by this company is pretty huge as it covers immunology, oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, and neurology.

Also Read: Pfizer reassures Europe over COVID-19 vaccines as pandemic grows