The article reports on the recent development of a generic drug by Natco Pharmaceuticals, a leading Indian pharmaceutical company, which is expected to benefit patients suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA is a genetic disorder that affects the muscles, leading to progressive muscle weakness and paralysis.
The generic drug, called Nusinersen, is a biologic medication that has been approved by the US FDA for the treatment of SMA. Natco’s development of the generic version is expected to make the medication more affordable and accessible to patients in India, where SMA is a rare but debilitating condition.
However, patients and advocacy groups are calling for government intervention to ensure that the generic drug is made available to those who need it. The cost of treatment with Nusinersen is currently high, making it inaccessible to many patients in India.
The SMA patients’ community has welcomed Natco’s development of the generic drug, but has also expressed concerns that the medication may not be made available to all who need it due to lack of government support. The Indian government has been urged to take concrete steps to ensure that the medication is included in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and that the cost of treatment is subsidized or capped.
The patients’ community has also demanded that the government provide a sufficient quantity of the generic drug to the public sector hospitals and specialty clinics to ensure that patients have access to treatment. The SMA patients’ community has also urged the government to establish a dedicated registry for SMA patients to track their treatment and progress.
The development of the generic drug by Natco has generated hope among SMA patients and their families, who have been facing significant challenges in accessing treatment. The Indian government’s response to the situation will be crucial in determining whether the patients will be able to benefit from the generic drug or not.