'Made in India' Drugs For 4 Rare Diseases Reduce Treatment Cost By Nearly 100 Folds

In a game-changer move, Indian drug companies, with the help of government agencies, have managed to develop medicines for four rare diseases in just a year, bringing down the cost of treatment by up to 100-fold. ‘Made in India’ drugs for Tyrosinemia Type 1, Gaucher’s Disease, Wilson’s Disease, and Dravet-Lennox Gastaut Syndrome– four rare diseases– are now available at drastically cheaper rates, as Indian pharma companies are now producing them reducing the reliance on expensive imported formulations, according to Union Health Ministry officials.

The slashing of prices comes as the Central Government has prioritised action related to 13 rare diseases along with sickle cell anemia. The much-needed initiative was taken in July 2022 after thorough discussions were held with academia, pharma industries, organisations, CDSCO, Department of Pharmaceuticals.

Now, drugs for four of these diseases -Tyrosinemia Type 1, Gaucher’s Disease, Wilson’s Disease and Dravet-Lennox Gastaut Syndrome – along with sickle cell Anemia have been approved and are being manufactured indigenously.