Recipharm secures supply of drug substance and commences manufacture of chloroquine phosphate

Recipharm has now secured supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) chloroquine phosphate for its drug Klorokinfosfat RPH Pharma and commenced manufacture of the product.

The move comes following reports that chloroquine phosphate may be part of the therapy for COVID-19 patients.

While chloroquine products are not currently indicated for treatment or prevention of COVID-19 and must only be prescribed according to present guidelines, a large number of clinical studies involving chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have recently been initiated around the world. Recipharm has therefore put substantial focus on having stock available in the event that demand increases upon positive clinical data and new guidelines.

In addition to manufacturing Klorokinfosfat RPH Pharma, Recipharm has also initiated the development of a new product with hydroxychloroquine as the API. This will allow the company to potentially offer a product containing the other form of chloroquine in case of possible future demand.

“As a pharmaceutical company we have a strong commitment to contribute to the treatment of COVID-19 patients. There is still a great need for more clinical evidence regarding the use of chloroquine, but we also need to prepare for the event that it could be identified as an effective part of COVID-19 treatment. I am therefore proud that we have been able to source API so quickly and that we are now prepared to build up our stock of chloroquine,” says Carl-Johan Spak, Senior VP Strategic Investments and Projects at Recipharm.