Akums Drugs' first indigenous Hydroxyurea oral solution for Sickle Cell Disease comes for ₹600 only and is stable at room temperature.
Hydroxyurea oral solution- a medication used to treat Sickle Cell Disease (Supplied)
Indian pharmaceutical company Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals has launched the country’s first indigenous hydroxyurea oral solution to treat sickle cell disease. Remarkably, it will cost merely one percent of the price of global brands.
The current import price is approximately ₹77,000 for the global brand of Hydroxyurea solution, which necessitates storage at 2-8 degree Celsius.
The company claimed that the oral suspension would be stable at room temperature.
“Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals has achieved a groundbreaking milestone: the development of India’s first room-temperature stable oral suspension of Hydroxyurea, tailored specifically for patients battling Sickle Cell Disease across all age groups. This innovative product is thoughtfully accompanied by oral syringes for precise dosage administration,” the company said in a statement.
The company added that in alignment with the objectives outlined in the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Mission, Akums pledges to provide this life-changing medicine to the government at a cost of less than ₹600, thus embodying the spirit of “Make in India” and fostering widespread benefit to the masses.
Sickle cell anaemia, or sickle cell disease (SCD), is an inherited blood disorder characterized by abnormal haemoglobin in red blood cells. In individuals with sickle cell anaemia, the haemoglobin is defective, causing red blood cells to become rigid, sticky, and sickle-shaped instead of the standard round shape.
These abnormal cells can block blood flow in small vessels, leading to pain and various serious complications such as infection, acute chest syndrome, and stroke.
Symptoms and complications of SCD can vary from mild to severe, with common issues including anaemia, pain crises, acute chest syndrome, splenic sequestration, stroke, and jaundice.
Early diagnosis, regular medical care, healthy lifestyle choices, and specific treatments like pain medications, blood transfusions, and hydroxyurea therapy are essential in managing sickle cell anaemia and reducing its complications.
Hydroxyurea oral solution is a medication used to treat sickle cell disease by reducing the number of painful crises caused by the condition and decreasing the need for blood transfusions.
This drug helps by keeping blood cells round and flexible, improving their flow and oxygen delivery in the body.
This leads to less pain, fewer hospital visits, and reduced anaemia. Hydroxyurea is considered an essential therapy for sickle cell anaemia, demonstrating safety and efficacy over 30 years of use.
It is particularly beneficial for individuals with various types of sickle cell disease, frequent pain crises, acute chest syndrome, severe anaemia requiring blood transfusions, and other related complications.
The medication is typically taken once daily in either liquid form or capsules, with dosages adjusted based on weight, medical condition, and response to treatment. Regular blood tests are necessary to monitor its effects and adjust the dose accordingly.
(Edited by Shauqueen Mizaj)
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