An Indian Pharmaceutical company recently announced the development of a new drug for sickle cell disease (SCD).
Details of the Drug:
- The drug would be the country’s first indigenous, room temperature stable drug for sickle cell disease to be available at only 1% of the global price.
- It is India’s first indigenous hydroxyurea oral solution, which is used for the treatment of sickle cell disease in children.
- The drug will be provided to the government at the cost of Rs. 600, which is nearly 1% of the R77,000 that the medicine currently available globally costs.
- Oral syringes would be provided for precise dosage administration.
- Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder that changes the shape of red blood cells and they are unable to carry the required amount of oxygen.
- Hydroxyurea helps keep the red blood cells rounder and bigger to enable them to carry oxygen.
About Sickle Cell Disease (SCD):
- Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that affect hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen through the body.
- Normally, red blood cells are disc-shaped and flexible enough to move easily through the blood vessels.
- In sickle cell disease, red blood cells become crescent- or “sickle”-shaped due to a genetic mutation.
- These sickled red blood cells do not bend or move easily and can block blood flow to the rest of the body.
- The blocked blood flow through the body can lead to serious problems, including stroke, eye problems, infections, and episodes of pain called pain crises.
- Sickle cell disease is a lifelong illness, but can be only cured by a bone marrow transplant.
- Gene therapy is also being explored as another potential cure, but other effective treatments can reduce symptoms and prolong life.
Sickle Cell Disease in India:
- India has listed sickle cell disease as one of the 10 major problems that affect the tribal people disproportionately.
- There are about 15 lakh sickle cell-affected patients in India.
- Out of three lakh children born with SCA worldwide every year, 50,000 are in India.
- Nearly 20% of tribal children succumb to SCD before reaching 2 years of age and 30% by 25 years.
- The Central government recently announced the launch of a mission to eliminate sickle cell disease by 2047.
- The government’s mission to eliminate Sickle Cell Disease focuses on screening people so that those carrying the trait do not get married to each other.
- It also provides treatment to those who already have the disease.
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