In a long-awaited welcome development, Eculizumab has been formally launched in India. In a press release issued recently, AstraZeneca, the company that acquired Alexion Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of the drug (brand name: Soliris) said, "Until now, limited awareness, diagnosis, and access to targeted therapies have contributed to prolonged hospitalisations and increased complications for those affected. The availability of Eculizumab marks a breakthrough in the standard of care."
For aHUS patients in India, this is a tremendous breakthrough in their collective journey. Until now, the drug was either not available or available only by importing it specifically for their use - a very arduous and complicated process.
Hopefully now, that would be a thing of the past. While there is still some lack of clarity on how the drug can be accessed and the cost at which it is available (which the aHUS India Foundation is working closely with the company on getting more information about), at least the delays in importing the drug would not be there.
The aHUS India Foundation strongly urges patients to speak to their doctors on their treatment plans and how they would change with the availability of the drug.
The Foundation also urges doctors with aHUS patients to be aware that the drug is now available and to please reach out to the company or us (ahusindia@gmail.com) and get access to the drug for your patients.
We, at the aHUS India Foundation are grateful to the company and the regulatory authorities for their efforts in making the drug available in India.
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