Healthcare

The government will halve sickle cell drug price

The government plans to halve the price of hydroxyurea, a vital drug for sickle cell patients, in order to increase accessibility. Talks have already begun with manufacturers and local vendors to lower the cost and make it available for free in hospitals. This move aims to address concerns about the expensive price of the medication and ensure that patients with sickle cell disease can afford the treatment they need.

Medriva Newsroom

24 Dec 2022 02:59 EST

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National sickle cell coordinator Dr. Charles Kiyaga said plans are underway to include the medicine among government essential medical supplies so patients can access it for free in hospitals like anti-retroviral drugs.

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The Ministry of Health has started talks with hydroxyurea manufacturers and local vendors to halve the price and increase access.

Sickle cell anemia's precarious existence followed sickle cell patients' complaints that the drug is too expensive.

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According to caregivers and patients, daily hydroxyurea costs Shs1,700 per tablet. "We're working with manufacturers to lower prices." They told us the price is Shs700. Now we must work with vendors. Dr. Kiyaga said their vendors' selling prices are to blame.

"We're still discussing how to regulate vendors so prices don't rise. Each dose should cost around Shs800, he said.

Before hydroxyurea, patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) used folic acid, for which they paid Shs1,500 for 30 tablets that lasted 30 days.

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Dr. Kiyaga said resources limited the rollout of free hydroxyurea. We're trying several methods to remove hydroxyurea. Not yet. We just received a donation through National Medical Stores. Small amount. âIt can't meet everyone's needs,â he said.

Dr. Richard Idro, a pediatrician at Mulago National Referral Hospital and former UMA president, said hydroxyurea reduces painful episodes, blood transfusions, and hospitalizations. 13% of the population carries this gene, and 0.8% have the disease.

Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disorder of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin transports oxygen in red blood cells. Sickle cell anaemia is inherited from both parents. Those with one abnormal gene are carriers, says Dr. Idro.

Preventing SCD by avoiding marriages between carriers. Hospitals charge Shs25,000 to Shs100,000 for sickle cell testing.

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