New Delhi: Thalassemia patients at Delhi’s government hospitals are grappling with a “double whammy” amid a shortage of Desferal (deferoxamine mesylate) and a looming 50 percent price hike for the life-saving drug approved by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). While the hike was approved on 14 October, it is yet to be implemented. However, patients at Deen Dayal Upadhyay, Ram Manohar Lohia, Lady Hardinge and Sucheta Kriplani hospitals fear the economic burden it will add, especially as they are already forced to purchase the drug from outside sources due to its unavailability in hospitals.
Doctors and nurses at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital confirmed the shortage of Desferal. “There’s no supply right now, and the hospital staff are doing their best to manage the situation. Even the senior doctors, including the MDs, are personally involved.
We’re hopeful the drug will be available soon,” Dr Arun Kumar, head of the hospital’s pediatrics department told ThePrint. “In the meantime, we’re using oral medication to reduce iron levels, which has been a long-standing alternative. The issue lies with Novartis, the company supplying the drug.
They haven’t been able to provide it, though I’m not sure why.” He added that despite the shortage, they’ve made sure that the treatment continues and patients are receiving care. A senior official in the Union health ministry, who did not wish be to named, said a key reason why the Thalassemia drug is.
