LOCKDOWN HITS DRUGS FOR MSPs

The lockdown has not just stopped the movement of people but it has also affected the movement of some vital medicides as well. Take for example the case of a few Multiple Sclerosis Patients (MSPs) who require a drug called Tecfiddera, the 250 mg variant.

“This drug is meant to be taken twice a day, in the morning and in the night. Usually one strip lasts us a week. This drug is not available in any medical store, and has to be ordered from the manufacturer,” said Farhan (name changed on request), an MSP.

Employees of drug manufacturers clarify that there is no shortage at their end.

“Most of the drugs are transported on the highways. Since there has been a hold on the movement of vehicles on the highways, we fear that there might be a gap in the supply of drugs. We are only finding it difficult in delivering the drugs due to police stoppage,” said a representative of Biogen, the company that manufactures the drug.

Even neurologists like Vemula Sreekanth say that these drugs are important for people with auto immune diseases like multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy among others. For myasthenia gravis, pyridostigmine is also in short quantity, as they are unlike any regular over the counter drugs.

“While the government has kept medical stores open, the drugs for this disorder are not available in regular medical stores. They have to be ordered from the company,” he said.

There are generic variants available in medical stores, but more often than not these haven’t been fully been tested out on patients, he said.

EMPLOYEES OF drug manufacturers clarify that there is no shortage at their end

EVEN NEUROLOGISTS like Vemula Sreekanth say that these drugs are important for people with auto immune diseases like multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy among others