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The State Agency of Medicines has given a registration approval to the "Rimantadine-Grindeks" in 50-miligram pills, a recognized antiviral medication for treatment of seasonal flu. In the future, Grindeks plans to register and start producing also "Rimantadine-Grindeks" in 100-miligram pills, writes LETA.

According to the "WHO Guidelines for Pharmacological Management of Pandemic 2009 Influenza and other Influenza Viruses", published on August 20, 2009, "Rimantadine" has been acknowledged to be an efficient antiviral medication. Grindeks public relations expert Laila Klavina underlined in an interview with the business information portal "Nozare.lv" that "Rimantadine-Grindeks" is not meant for prevention or treatment of the so-called swine flu.

The active substance of "Rimantadine-Grindeks" is rimantadine hydrochloride, the commonly used chemical name for which is rimantadine. The substance was first synthesized in the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis 40 years ago.

Chairman of the Board of Grindeks Janis Romanovskis said: "In response to the spread of pandemic influenza in Latvia, we will offer "Rimantadine-Grindeks" – an effective and recognized antiviral medication for treatment of seasonal flu. According to the data of World Health Organization (WHO), the so-called "swine flu" will be acute until the new year and will prevail over the seasonal flu, which in turn will be acute in the new year. I am pleased that "Rimantadine-Grindeks" will help Latvian society to fight the flu and to recover!"

Grindeks is the leading pharmaceutical company in the Baltic States. The main directions of its operation are research, development, manufacturing and sales of original products, as well as generics and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Grindeks concern consists of four subsidiary companies in Latvia, Estonia and Russia; as well as representatives and representative offices in 14 countries.

Products of the company are exported to more than 40 countries and its export comprises more than 96% of the total turnover. The main markets for the company's production are the Baltic States, Russia, CIS countries, as well as Japan and the United States. The shares of Grindeks are listed in the Official List of "NASDAQ OMX Riga".