Domestic production lowers costs of medicines for four rare diseases

Indian pharmaceutical companies are now producing medicines for four rare diseases, leading to a significant reduction in their prices, according to Union Health Ministry officials. The move is part of the ministry’s prioritization of action on 13 rare diseases, including sickle cell anemia. Among the approved drugs being manufactured domestically are those for Tyrosinemia Type 1, Gaucher’s Disease, Wilson’s Disease, and Dravet-Lennox Gastaut Syndrome. Additionally, four more drugs for Phenylketonuria, Hyperammonemia, and Gaucher’s disease are under process for approval and expected to be available by April 2024.

As a result of indigenous production, the annual costs of these medications have substantially decreased. For instance, Nitisinone capsules, used for Tyrosinemia Type 1 treatment, will now cost one-hundredth of the imported version, reducing the annual expense from Rs 2.2 crore to just Rs 2.5 lakh. The shift to domestic manufacturing has similarly lowered costs for other drugs, such as Eliglustat capsules, Trientine capsules, and Cannabidiol oral solution used in various rare diseases.

The initiative to manufacture these drugs domestically began in July 2022, involving discussions with academia, pharmaceutical industries, organizations, and regulatory bodies. The prioritization of 13 rare diseases and sickle cell anemia, along with subsequent approvals and price reductions, has significantly contributed to making these medications more accessible and affordable in India.