Drug for Parkinson's disease yet to get green signal

Apomorphine is administered to Parkinson’s patients to improve their ability to control the movements during episodes like muscle stiffness and slow movements. However, as the approval remains pending for a long time, the licensing of pharmaceutical manufacturers remains a challenge. Currently, there are only two firms that manufacture the drug.

“Though late approval is the reason why Apomorphine remains more of an orphan drug in the pharmaceutical industry, it has not found many takers also because it is only limited to off episode improvements. The drug is being used in Western countries for more than 10 years now, but it is not so popular in our country yet. With more genetic drugs coming into play, pharma companies arestepping back from manufacturing it,” says pharmacologist Dr Sharmila Anand.

Apomorphine imitates the activity of dopamine, a naturally occurring chemical messengerin the brain, to carry signals between brain cells, thus helpingwith mobility.

Levodopa oral medication and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery are usually suggested by doctors to treat the condition. While Levodopa can have side effects as the disease progresses, surgery is a costly option and is beyond the affordability of many.

“Patients look forward to complete cure from the disease and not just improved activity. Therefore, they do not prefer Apomorphine over regular oral drugs. They often discontinue these drugs, which reduces the market for pharma companies. Also, there are only neurologists to treat Parkinson’s, but specialists in movement disorders are needed to promote the use of Apomorphine,” says neurologist Suresh Rao.

Apomorphine is administered through an infusion pump with a subcutaneous needle as per the dosage requirement of the patient.