Iran has mass-produced pegaferon, a recombinant pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alpha-2a, effective in treating chronic hepatitis C.

“We are now the second country in the world to manufacture pegaferon,” said director of the pharmaceutical biotechnology committee of Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Mohammad Reza Fazel.

He added that Tehran University of Medical Sciences' drug production center had begun the production of the drug since 2 years ago.

Several clinical trials performed on the drug during the past few months have shown pegaferon is as effective as the original medication traded under the name of pegasys but less pricy.

Fazel announced that a private company has obtained the required permits to mass-produce the drug from the health ministry.

Pharmaceutical/adj./:  pertaining to pharmacists; related to pharmacy

 
Traded/p.t of the Traded/: deal, transact, buy and sell
 
Trial/n./: examination of facts by a judicial tribunal (Law); test
 
pricy/n./: expensive
 
obtained /p.t of the Traded/: acquire, come by; procure