Thalassaemia patients allege problems with new medicines

Nagpur: Patients suffering from thalassaemia, who rely on free medicines provided by the government, are facing recurring problems due to the scarcity or unavailability of their prescribed medicines. However, their current grievance revolves around the alleged substandard quality of the brand of medicine being dispensed in recent times, which, they claim, is adversely affecting their health.
Previously, patients with this blood disorder received Deferasirox 500, a life-saving medicine, manufactured by two companies from the government-run Daga Hospital at Nagpur. The state government recently replaced these tablets with those produced by a third pharma manufacturer.

Patients’ Rights Forum coordinator Raj Khandare expressed concerns about the health hazards caused by this new brand of medicines. The forum recently wrote a letter to CM Eknath Shinde to address this issue.
Khandare said, “There have been numerous complaints from thalassaemia patients regarding Deferasirox. This drug is of utmost importance, which is why it was regularly provided to them free of cost at Daga Hospital. The tablets produced by the earlier two manufacturers have suddenly been discontinued and replaced with those from a third company.”
He emphasized that the current tablets are substandard in quality, lacking proper taste and effectiveness. As a result, parents of thalassaemia patients are forced to purchase medicines worth Rs3,000 to Rs5,000 per month from the open market, placing a significant financial burden on them, he said. The forum has demanded the reintroduction of tablets manufactured by the earlier two companies.
When TOI reached out to parents of several children living with thalassaemia, they confirmed the patients’ struggles, including increased haemoglobin levels, dizziness, and vomiting. One mother noted, “Children are accustomed to the previous tablets, and they are reluctant to take the newly provided tablets.”
Pharmacists in Nagpur said that medicines produced by reputable pharmaceutical companies undergo rigorous testing to ensure safety and efficacy standards. “All the three companies adhere to strict quality control measures, assuring patients that the content of the medications remains the same. However, it is essential to address the reported health issues faced by thalassaemia patients promptly,” said pharmacist Naresh Kyawal.
Deferasirox 500 plays a critical role in the treatment of thalassaemia. This life-saving medication helps to reduce iron overload in the body, a common complication of thalassaemia treatment. This drug helps prevent serious organ damage.