Shortage of life-saving thalassemia drug affects patients in city

For Shakthi, parent of 15-year-old Vivek, every day is a struggle. His son, who was diagnosed with thalassemia when he was one year-old, has to be injected with Desferal supplied by Novartis to remove the excess iron due to frequent blood transfusions. However, for the last few months, the drug has been unavailable. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Due to frequent transfusions, the iron levels in the body are high. 

Dr Revathi Raj, paediatric-haematologist, says that a large segment of thalassemia patients depends on tablets, and that about 10 per cent have to be put on Desferal, which is administered every day to remove the excess iron. “Nonetheless, there is a shortage  and the ones in the Thalassemia Society here have brought up the issue with doctors treating them. These patients are in the eight to 40 years age group,” she says. For patients with thalassemia, excess iron content can affect the vital organs of the body. Dr Revathi added that the company has assured that the shortage is temporary. 

A recent petition on Change.org by Bengaluru-based Namitha Kumar highlighted the acute shortage of the drug and its impact. The petition had urged the Union Health Minister to make it available. 

In Tamil Nadu, the condition is common among those from hilly regions like Conoor, Salem and the Ramnad belt and they come to Chennai for frequent blood transfusions.