Thalassemia Patients and Friends
Discussion Forums => Iron Chelation Corner => Topic started by: Life is Beautiful ~ on January 26, 2008, 10:49:01 AM
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Do any one of you have any updates on the availability of Exjade in India?
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as far as I know, exjade is not available in India yet. However, L1 is avaialble in india and many patients have used it successfully to reduce their iron overload under their doctor's guidence. however, it does require weekly cbc to monitor for side effects. I guess this is much better than having long term side effects of iron overload.
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L1 does need regular monitoring, as does Exjade. These drugs should only be taken under a doctor's supervision. There have been at least 8 known deaths associated with exjade. This resulted in a change in the recommendations regarding monitoring. Creatinine levels need to be monitored frequently and patients must be taken off exjade if the levels get high as the result can be kidney failure and death. All the patients who died had a prior history of health problems, but proper monitoring may have saved their lives. White cell counts need to be watched with both drugs.
Exjade has been delayed in India and I believe the lawsuits Novartis has filed have been responsible for this. Novartis is concerned that Indian companies will copy Exjade once it is released in India, as Cipla has done with L1. My sympathies to the mighty Novartis, but there are international agreements that DO permit countries to manufacture their own versions of life-saving drugs. So far, Indian courts have sided with the needs of patients and we can hope they continue to take this pro-patient attitude. There are many good people working for Novartis to develop these drugs and get them to patients, but unfortunately, like any multinational corporation, these are not the same people that make the financial decisions.
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Hi All,
In fact I wanted to post this question of Exjade launch in India. Being new on the site to day could not figure out how to post a querry.
While, my daughter milan had BT on this Monday at Chandigarh(North India), I got the good news that Exjade is being scheduled to be launched In Mumbai (India) this March 2008 by Dr M.B.Aggarwal at Bombay Hospital. It will be in the doses of 100 and 400. Details are awaited, shall appreciate if some more light is put on this from folks from Mumbai on enquiry with Dr. MBA.
Best regards.
Amrit Sembhi
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Hello Amrit,
Welcome to the site. You will find a lot of information which will help you give better treatment for your child.
Unofficial reports say Exjade(Anusara in India) will be approximately Rs. 140 for 400 mg. This i think would still be cheaper than Desferal and a little costlier than Kelfer (L1), but similar to Kelfer the price would hopefully come down
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Hi Narender,
Thanks for your response and nice words!
Information is plenty and I am finding it very useful.
Do keep us updated on the exact launch date. I apprehend it doesnot turn out like last year, when it was announced for 5th August and was cancelled at the last moment.
Best Regards.
Amrit
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This link says Asunra is launched on 31st March 2008 (Today)
http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20080330/920831.html
Another link:- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pill_to_spare_thalassaemics_daily_jab/articleshow/2899893.cms
Seems like it finally is coming to India. With caution, I think those eagerly waiting for Exjade (Asunra) thals should be happy. I think as mentioned many times in other threads, those with kidney issues should discuss with doctor's before starting this pill.
Also, the price seems a little cheaper than desferal
Asunra is cheaper, selling at Rs 4,000 for every 30 tablets or Rs 133 a tablet
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I recently posted the contact information for those in India who wish to find out about the Exjade release. As Narendra reminded, please do not take Exjade except under regular supervision by a doctor. Patients with prior kidney or liver disease must be very closely monitored.
We expect Tab.Asunra ( globally known as Exjade) will
begin to be available in the India during the second
quarter of 2008
Please consult your physician in the first week of
April
Regards.
D. Mohan
Product Manager
Novartis India Limited
Sandoz House, 7th floor
Shivsagar Estate
Dr. Annie Besant Road
India
Phone: +91 22 24988888
Cell: ++ 91 9821777242
Email : mohan.devadiga@novartis.com
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Asunra (Exjade) has been approved for ages 2 and up in India.
I would also like to remind anyone using Exjade to not use anything metal to mix it in or with. Use a plastic or wood spoon to stir it.
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Seems like Cipla has it's version of Exjade(Asunra)
As Andy mentioned in the post above... and is highlighted in the article, those with liver and kidney should take the drug under doctor's supervision
From:- http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/04/01/stories/2008040150910200.htm
Cipla bringing in Novartis’ iron-overload drug
Mumbai, March 31 Cipla is set to sell its generic version of Deferasirox, a once-a-day oral iron chelator used to treat iron overload that occurs due to blood transfusions. Beneficial to patients with conditions such as thalassemia, the once-daily format of the drug ensures better compliance.
But the drug comes from the Novartis stable, and is internationally sold under the Exjade brand name. Though Novartis does not at present sell its Deferasirox (Exjade) in India, a company spokesperson told Business Line that Novartis was planning to launch Defarasirox in the second quarter of 2008.
Cipla’s version of Deferasirox will be sold locally under the brand name Desirox.
Prices and patents The drug, available as tablets, will cost the consumer about Rs 1,000 a month. It will be sold locally at a fraction of the price at which it is sold internationally, said Mr Amar Lulla, Cipla’s Chief Executive Officer.
Novartis points out that it has applied for patent protection on Defarasirox formulation in India, which is under review by the Indian Patent Office. Globally, the drug was first approved in the US in November 2005. The price varies internationally and depends on dosage and weight of the patient.
“The price is, however, comparable with the total costs of treatment with deferoxamine when drug and associated drug delivery costs are considered,” the official added.
And with the originator, Novartis, also planning to bring its medicine into the country, this drug too could witness patent-related litigation, a pharma analyst observed.
Side-effects
Side-effects associated with the drug include concerns of liver/kidney toxicity. But Mr Lulla pointed out that the benefits of the drug outweigh its risks. The labelling would be similar to other medicines in the segment, he clarified.
And since the medicine is an already tested drug, Cipla would now undertake post-marketing surveillance on the medicine, he said.
The drug would be sold only on prescription, through specialists like haematologists and paediatricians who treat thalassemic children, a Cipla official familiar with the drug said. There are few medicines in this segment, he said, adding that Cipla has been in this space for about 12 years, since its launch of Kelfer (deferiprone) in 1995.
Thalassemia is a genetic disorder set apart by the inability of the individual to produce normal haemoglobin. Every year approximately 100,000 children with Thalassemia Major are born worldwide, of which 10,000 are born in India, Cipla said. It is estimated that there are about 65,000-67,000 beta-thalassemia patients in the country, with around 9,000-10,000 cases being added every year, it added.
A few ethnic groups, such as Sindhis, Gujarathis, Punjabis, Jains and Marwadis, are considered high-risk communities for this disease, the company said.
Thalassemic children are anaemic and require regular blood transfusions. And though blood transfusions help extend life, complications like excess iron deposition in the body arise. This needs to be removed to prevent it from being deposited in vital organs such as the heart, liver and pancreas. About 50 per cent of thalassemics die because of cardiac complications, making it necessary to give drugs that remove iron (iron chelators) to these patients, the Cipla note explained.
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That's great news for Indians! That's about $25 per month. Once again Cipla puts people before profits. With life-saving medicines, that's how it should be.
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:clapcheergirl :clapcheerboy :clapcheergirl :clapcheerboy
That's indeed a great new.
ZAINI.
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Thals in India, it's time to celebrate :biggrin
Exjade aka Asunra is officially launched in India. A preformatted prescription is available with leading hematologists. I just got the prescription yesterday for 400 mg tablets. I had to show my complete blood profile to my hemato Dr Ashish Dixit at Manipal Hospital. The form has to be dropped at Novartis and they will inform us when to collect our prescrips :yahoo
I will be getting it by this month end.
No more pokies :yahoo
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:yahoo
That is indeed a great news.
I'll have to tell my center about this and see what the cost Novartis has offered for Asunra.
Namitha,
Does Asunra cost the same as the one Cipla is offering (Rs.1000 for a month)?
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In an earlier post, Narendra stated
Exjade(Anusara in India) will be approximately Rs. 140 for 400 mg.
If this is the case, Cipla will be producing it for much less. For example, a dose of 1200 mg/day (which is a low dose for most people), would cost Rs. 420 daily or Rs. 12,600 for 30 days, compared to Rs. 1000 for one month from Cipla. This is similar to what we have seen with Kelfer being sold far below the cost of Ferriprox. Cipla is once again doing the right thing for patients. Novartis can pretend all they like but obviously, introducing Asunra at a much lower price than what is charged for Exjade, is not necessarily the altruistic deed it is portrayed as, but rather an attempt to get a piece of the market before Cipla introduces their low price version. Perhaps Cipla and the Indian government are a bit ahead in terms of humanity. You really have to wonder about those who blindly accept capitalistic ideas about the costs of life-saving (life-giving) drugs. Is it really morally acceptable to be making tons of money off of desperate patients? I think both companies have given their answer. And George Bush, please stick your stupid notion that the market should determine the price of medicines, where it belongs. The drug companies may have been the biggest donors to your campaigns but real people deserve better than some distorted bull about the free market.
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Hi Andy
This is a really big difference in price,but i have a concern here. Does Cipla for example or any drug company that offers cheaper prices uses the same quality of the active substance in the drug or they just use lower qualities to keep a low price.
Here in my country, sometimes the active material is bought from Russia instead of getting it from France or Switzerland in order to lower the cost and this results in a lower effieincy of the drug.
Even there are some drugs that are impoted from Germany that are sold here in Egypt which by law are not allowed to use in Germany because the active material is a second or third class so it is just made for the middle east or third world countries ( as if God created third class people who don't have the right to get good quality of medicine when they are sick) . The same drug is sold in Germany is for 120 euros and when send to the middle east it is for 40 euros and the difference is because of difference in quality.
Anyway, i don't want to be subjective but in case of a life saving medicine , i wouldn't mind if it is a second or third class quality because the other option would be not taking it at all
Manal
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Cipla sells Kelfer at cost. Their version of Exjade will apparently also be sold at cost. Kelfer is the same drug as Ferriprox. The difference in price can be attributed to two factors. First, Cipla is selling these meds at the cost of production price. Second, and this is a huge factor, Cipla has none of the costs that Novartis or Apotex incurred in developing these drugs. To put it simply, Cipla is "stealing" patented drugs and counterfeiting them. Under international agreements regarding life-saving meds, this is perfectly legal to do. It is not permitted to market these counterfeit drugs outside of the country in which they are produced, hence the previous high price for Kelfer in Pakistan as it had to be smuggled into the country and was sold at extreme prices by black marketeers. Cipla also does not incur the advertising and promotional costs that the other manufacturers do.
The drugs are the same compounds but without all the added costs, Cipla is able to sell the drugs at cost. It really does give some perspective on what some drugs actually cost to produce. One may say, this isn't fair to the creators of the drug, but let me say one thing. Where the hell are the morals of those, including "my" president, who thinks the market should set the prices rather than doing everything possible to make these drugs available to those who need them to stay alive?!!! The drug industry is the most profitable industry on earth. I guess morals can be damned when it comes to a choice between what is morally right and what will make one wealthy. :noway
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:clap :clap :clap To Cipla.
To hell with Novartis or Apotex.At least Cipla is concern and it appears that they are putting Humanuty ahead of profits.Thats how its suppose to be, its about time.
Kathy
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Hi Sajid,
Asunra costs Rs 110 per tablet. A box of 30 tablets costs Rs 3,300. The cost is definitely higher compared to Kelfer.
Another important news that I forgot to mention in the last post is that Cipla is coming out with a generic version of the same drug Asunra. It will cost Rs 25 per tablet. It is yet to be released. My hemato told me it will be available in another 2 months time. This tablet will give a lot of hope to thals who cannot take Kelfer and cannot afford Asunra :smiley
Let's hope for the best and pray that Cipla comes out with it ASAP. I know so many Thals in Bangalore who were eagerly waiting for Asunra but were stumped when it came to the price :mad
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It's about time another pill came out other than L1.
I really want to switch to one. I've just had it! with the needles. Last night was a horrible experience for me with Desf.
Summer is starting gradually and last night it was somewhat hot and the tapes came off by them self by slight sweating. I woke up feeling some pain and found my shirt all stained with blood till my trouser and the needle almost sticking into the side of my ribs instead of the injection site :-\
I really don't want that to happen again. I just can't wait for the pills to be in my hands :boredom :impatient :frustrated
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Oh My God!!! That was horrible Sajid :ohmy :ohmy :ohmy
I am so sorry you had to go through this ordeal :whyme Don't know what should we do to make our govts understand that forming cabinets and granting portfolios is not enough,they ought to be doing something for us,do you know we don't have any health minister in our new govt :hysterical ,how should we go and tell them to :stopmad this nonsense,stop playing with govt and start taking their responsibilities,huh,i guess there is no way :sigh just keep praying my brother ,we are all here for you. :empathy.
ZAINI.
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Sagid,
I am sad to read about the ordeal you went through .I hope things improve for you.
Good luck my friend. :empathy
Much love from
Kathy
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I am sorry for what you passed through Sajid, i hope you are okay now :empathy :console
Manal
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:grouphug
Thanks everyone. It's one of the things I hate about Desferal. I used to use the porous type of tape (3M's Transpore) which was great, but now I can't seem to find it anymore and have to use the plain paper type which is not good enough for long periods.
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Hi Sajid,
I understand how you feel. That must have been some experience!
I got my Asunra and started on it two days ago. I've not had any side effects (touch wood!). It's a great relief to me now. I no longer have to get poked. I pray that Asunra is available in Pak ASAP.
Take care of yourself. Praying for early release of Asunra.
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:clap :woot :cheer :yahoo :flowers :jumping :party :yay :congrats :yaaaaaay
That is AWESOME!
If it's in India, then probably we're next!!!
I hope the price issue gets resolved soon for JSF :pray
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Hello all,
I am joining after a long break. Infact, I was in Boston (US) for three weeks for work. Now that I am back there is a lot of catching up to do.
First of all, congratulations to friends in Pakistan and India for getting their hands on Asunra. Exjade aka Asunra is a great convenient. I hope everyone benefit from it. The cost is amazing in Pakistan and India. Now that my daughter is taking 375mg everyday, the cost is staggering $1000 per month. I was lucky that it is 80% paid by my insurance but there are many who still can't afford it. The cost is one month mortgage payment for most in Canada. I am assuming it is $2000 or more for adult patients.
Anyways, only two things to report here. One that my daughter is extermly sensitive and sees anxiety episodes frequently due to Exjade. Second the Novartis rep called us to get permission for extra test in case if they are needed. My daughter is under strict observation as she is the first to get Exjade before the age of 6 in Canada. We know in US children as young as two are getting exjade so it not too worrying for us.
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Hi Canadian Family,
Thanks,
Sajid,
A good news,we went for Zainab's transfusion to day, and doctor at the hospital told me that Asunra is now available :hi5boys.The cost he told me is amazing,and i am wondering how can Novartis be so generous :heehee anyways the cost for 400 mg tablet is 200 rupees and for 100 mg tablet it's 50 rupees. :think. Although we are not switching to Asunra right now,as Zainab's ferritin checked day before yesterday was still 1350 :thumbdown a very little change, i want it to be below 1000 before even thinking about Asunra.Well good luck to you. :thumbup
ZAINI.
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Wow!
It's about time I heard this news. But Zaini, I thought that chelation (especially Exjade/Asunra) is not advised below 1000 S.F. Well, this IS Pakistan and anything can go :biggrin
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Nmaitha,
What was the cost for Asunra and what strength are the tabs?
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Really? :think
As far as i remember,one of our members,Smurfette is on ferriprox only and she has way low ferritin levels,so i thought may be asunra would be more suitable once her ferritin is below 1000,as u know when started,exjade users have always complained about high S.F levels,due to iron being extracted from tissues or something like that,so i thought it would be safe if her ferritin is below 1000.
By the way i don't get it,after three nights of desferal per week and ferriprox thrice daily,her ferritin is showing very small changes,and doctor was asking me of easing the medication,like he said i can do desferal twice a week or ferriprox 5 days a week.i really don't get it.
ZAINI.
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Aston Dialo is using Exjade and his ferritin is below 600. His dosage may soon be adjusted downward but there is no talk of not using Exjade. There may be a more cautious approach with children. AD is also taking a supplement program, is using milk thistle and exercising. The results have been remarkable. His transfusion requirements have dropped some and usually he is getting one bag of blood, rather than the two he used to take.
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:doh
I was confusing it with the Chelation starting levels.
My bad. I did hear in the National Thal. Conference that Chelation limit of 1000 S.F is no longer application and they told the doctor accompanying me not to stop the chelation of the patients if their S.F goes down to 1000
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Hi Andy,
Asunra is available in 100 and 400 mg tablets. A 400 mg tablet costs Rs 110/tablet. I was told that the 100 mg tablet costs around Rs 40/tablet.
Regards,
Namitha
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Exjade has been launched in india by cipla . I came across it by notice posted in BT centre in pgi chandigarh. cost of medicine is RS 24/250mg and approx 48?500mg tab. c
Do any one of you have any updates on the availability of Exjade in India?
an any one also tell me wether we do need desferal even after takin exjade.
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Really? has cipla launched their version of exjade,that would be wonderful :jumping Regarding your question about desferal,Novartis hasn't approved of using exjade with any other chelator,but we have a few members on our forum who are using exjade along with desferal, anyways it depends upon patient's ferritin levels as well.
ZAINI.
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Andy,
Thanks for pointing me towards this thread - one small correction on kelfer - Ciba-Geigy had the original discovery on L1, but chose not to proceed with the drug, citing problematic issues with the drug. I am not sure if the patent lapsed or not, but Cipla then decided to look at the drug in India, while Apotex did the same in Canada. (BTW, Cipla took it up on the request of a few members of Mumbai Thalassaemic Society, and Cipla's CEO and owner Dr Hamid put his personal weight behind the move). The first trials of Kelfer started in India in 1987, while similar trials started in Canada. Unfortunately, due to a couple of deaths (4, if I remember correctly) in Canada and fears of Kelfer causing liver toxicity and damage, the trials were halted there. Indian trials continued ..... and it was a success. Thanks to the efforts of Sion and J J Hospital, and Dr M B Agarwal among others. But, here we hit a road block - the Indian FDA would not approve the drug as it was not approved by US FDA (original molecule was american, in their view) and the stoppage of the trial in Canada.
Many of us owe a huge debt of gratitude to Ashish here, which can never be repaid - he came up with the idea of going to Delhi and lobbying the health secretary personally. He and a bunch of us did that, with surprising results. The drug was approved but could not be sold OTC but could only be sold through specified channels, and under doctor supervision. The rest, as they say, is history.
Apotex launched the drug in UK about 15 years after it was first made available in India. Canada followed suit after that. I believe US has still not approved it.
A big cost difference that you see in drugs between the US and India is the amount of money that the big pharama cos spend on marketing in the US. Advertising drugs through mass media is banned in India, as it is in many countries. While following the Lipitor trial between Pfizer and India's Ranbaxy, what struck me was that in the past 3 years, Pfizer has spent more on marketing than R&D even if you add the amortised expenses back!!
Oh well ......
Poirot
Cipla sells Kelfer at cost. Their version of Exjade will apparently also be sold at cost. Kelfer is the same drug as Ferriprox. The difference in price can be attributed to two factors. First, Cipla is selling these meds at the cost of production price. Second, and this is a huge factor, Cipla has none of the costs that Novartis or Apotex incurred in developing these drugs. To put it simply, Cipla is "stealing" patented drugs and counterfeiting them.
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To the best of my knowledge, Cipla has not launched "its version" of Exjade in India yet. As I mentioned in another thread, they are studying the new patent laws which India signed up to as part of WTO, which disallows any "copying/reverse engineering" of patented drugs launched after 2005.
I will update the group if I hear anything more.
Poirot
Really? has cipla launched their version of exjade,that would be wonderful :jumping Regarding your question about desferal,Novartis hasn't approved of using exjade with any other chelator,but we have a few members on our forum who are using exjade along with desferal, anyways it depends upon patient's ferritin levels as well.
ZAINI.
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Apotex launched the drug in UK about 15 years after it was first made available in India. Canada followed suit after that. I believe US has still not approved it.
A quick correction to the statement above, L1/Kelfer is not approved in Canada. Apotex a Canadian Pharmaceutical company invented the drug but how unfortunate it is not approved and available to the Canadians.
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Finally, I have got Deferasirox Dispersable Tablets (250 mg) for my daughter. The brand name of the tablet is Desirox manufactired by CIPLA LTD. It is the equivalent of Exjade (or Asunra as named in India) of Novartis. She has started taking it from last Saturday only. Let us see the impact after some time. The Cipla's medicine is really low. It is only Rs. 720/- for 30 tablets of 250 mg. You get one box of medicine free when you buy 3 boxes. Like Desferral or Kelfer it is not available in general Pharmacy Stores / Medicine Shops. You can only get them from Cipla's office against a general prescription by a Haematlogist or a Specialist Paediatrician. For Asunra you have to take a special form from the Haematologist issued by the Distributors of Novartis.
If any one is interested in the leaflet meant for the Patients / Doctors / Lab given along with the medicine then I can scan it and send it across to you.
I have a few queries regarding the usage of the medicines and have posted them in a different string. I hope to get answers from you.
By the way, it is indeed amazing to find that so many people have read and contributed to this string of discussion started by me. I am really thankful to all of you.
Wish you all the very best.
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Hi,
That is an amazing price.
I'm so happy for you that your child can benefit from it.
Please do upload all the possible leaflets and informative brochures about it.
Wishing you all the best.
Happy chelating! :)
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its good to hear that some companys are taking low profit .. and giving the benefits to the patients ... its a humanitarian effort ... keep it up CIPLA and Global pharma ... i personaly pray for both companies that may god send these companies in main stream line of manufacturing medicines .. and give them strenght and power so that they will b able to make andd launch medicine before novartis and other high profit taking compay ...
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It is indeed cheap. Taking the free bottle into a/c, the price is Indian Rs. 18/- per 250 mg tablet.
Hi,
That is an amazing price.
I'm so happy for you that your child can benefit from it.
Please do upload all the possible leaflets and informative brochures about it.
Wishing you all the best.
Happy chelating! :)
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That is great news for Indian thals who have been waiting for Cipla's version of Exjade. Asunra was a step in the right direction but the price was still too high for most people. As it did with kelfer, Cipla has put patients first. This development will prove to be a huge step for Indian thals and will enable a much more normal life for thousands of people. A 30 day dose at a level of 1750 mg/day will be under $100 US.
Let's spread the word so that all Indian patients are aware of this option. :happyyes
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Can't we import it here :(? I mean by proper prescription and all...?
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Let's spread the word so that all Indian patients are aware of this option. :happyyes
Absolutely right ...... I have not heard about it in Mumbai yet ..... unless they have just launched it in Kolkata to see if the distribution system is working?
I can't find it on their website either ..... but I can't find Kelfer either, so that may not mean anything.
Thanks for the heads-up.
Poirot
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You may try this address in Mumbai
Company: Cipla Ltd.
Address: 289, Belassis road, Mumbai Central, Mumbai
City: Mumbai
Country: India
Tel: 00 9122 3082891
Fax: 00 9122 3070013
Cipla's Calcutta address is:
5,Kustiya Road, Picnic Garden, Kolkata, 700039, India
+91 33 23435169
I know the availability of Desirox in Calcutta for sure
Absolutely right ...... I have not heard about it in Mumbai yet ..... unless they have just launched it in Kolkata to see if the distribution system is working?
I can't find it on their website either ..... but I can't find Kelfer either, so that may not mean anything.
Thanks for the heads-up.
Poirot
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Write-up and images on Cipla's site:
Patients with chronic anaemias such as thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, congenital rare anaemias and myelodysplastic syndromes require regular blood transfusions in order to improve both quality of life and survival. Humans are unable to eliminate the iron released from the breakdown of transfused red blood cells and the excess iron is deposited as haemosiderin and ferritin in the liver, spleen, endocrine organs and myocardium. The accumulation of toxic quantities of iron causes tissue damage and leads to complications such as heart failure, diabetes, hypothyroidism and liver failure. Morbidity and mortality in regularly transfused thalassaemia patients are due primarily to the effects of iron overload rather than to the underlying disease.
Iron chelators mobilize tissue iron by forming soluble, stable complexes that are then excreted in the faeces and/or urine. Although desferrioxamine has been available for the past 40 years, its poor oral bioavailability and short plasma half-life necessitate parenteral administration and prolonged infusions. Further, therapy was expensive and cumbersome, and led to significant non-compliance.
The introduction of the world's first oral iron chelator, deferiprone, by Cipla in 1995 revolutionised the treatment of iron overload, and brought the benefits of oral iron chelation therapy within reach of thousands of patients globally.
DESIROX ( Deferasirox) is yet another breakthrough in oral iron chelation therapy. Its once-daily dosing and availability as a dispersible tablet are unique features, and represent an important advance in therapy.
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Impressive
:clap
Hats off to CIPLA :stars
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:hugfriend :dunno :dunno
i am very glad to know that cipla bring exjade for us.We hope that it will be cheaper like Kelfer
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Cipla has launched Deferasirox in India, through a soft launch - probably to stave off action from Novartis for as long as possible. They have not publicised this launch much and only haematologists treating thals or in touch with Cipla are aware of this development. It may not be available through prescription at your blood banks, at this moment (it is not at my centre) but will be available from your haematologist.
All in India: Please contact your haematologist if you can not tolerate Kelfer and ask for a prescription.
Pricing: Significantly cheaper than Exjade/Asunra (cheaper by about 65%) but more expensive than Kelfer (50-60% more), for a dosage of 30mg/kg vs 75mg/kg of Kelfer. However, you will be starting off with a lower dose, compared with Kelfer. However, the good news is that Kelfer prices have come down over the years, as the government has reduced duties to zero and I would expect the same to happen with Deferasirox.
Poirot
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Some people are saying that Cipla's Deferasirox is inferior in quality as compared to Novartis's Asunra (Exjade). Is that correct?
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I wonder at this point how anyone would even know. Cipla's version has been on the market a very short time. It doesn't seem long enough for any comparison to have been made. Do you know who is saying this and what they are saying?
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Employees of Novartis's distributor. It could jolly well be a rumour.
I wonder at this point how anyone would even know. Cipla's version has been on the market a very short time. It doesn't seem long enough for any comparison to have been made. Do you know who is saying this and what they are saying?
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:mad
The nerve of those people!
I trust Cipla more than Novartis! After all Cipla cares more about the patients than patents; while Novartis only care$ about ca$h and wants a monopoly in the chelation business.
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It is the only CIPLA who can understand the grief of the children and suffering from Thalassaemia and the agony of the treatment
Out commitment towards thalassaemic patients ----TIES OF BLOOD
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Without the efforts of Cipla, thousands of Indian patients would not be alive today.
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PRICE COMPARISION
DESIROX CIPLA
PRICE / TABLET PRICE AFTER FREE UNITS
DESIROX 500 40 Rs 30 Rs
DESIROX 250 24 Rs 18 Rs
ASUNRA NOVARTIS
PRICE / TABLET PRICE AFTER FREE UNITS
ASUNRA 400 140 Rs
ASUNRA 100 50 Rs
DESIROX
1/4TH
The prohibitive cost of Asunra
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I wish CIPLA starts exporting it to Pak. soon :sigh
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Hello all
For all those who are in India and are in need of Desirox (Defirasirox) marketed by Cipla please visit http://www.aplasticanemiaindia.co.in/desiorox%20cipla.html.
Pavithran
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Hello all
For all those who are in India and are in need of Desirox (Defirasirox) marketed by Cipla please visit http://www.aplasticanemiaindia.co.in/desiorox%20cipla.html.
Pavithran
:welcome to the site and :ty very much for sharing such a valuable information.
Please feel free to tell us about yourself and ask any question that you have in mind.
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The Distribution Outlets of Cipla's Desirox (equivalent of Exjade) in India are given in the attached .pdf file.
This would at least help the Indian patients.
Thanks and warm regards to all
Absolutely right ...... I have not heard about it in Mumbai yet ..... unless they have just launched it in Kolkata to see if the distribution system is working?
I can't find it on their website either ..... but I can't find Kelfer either, so that may not mean anything.
Thanks for the heads-up.
Poirot
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More details of outlets where ASUNRA is available can be found at http://www.aplasticanemiaindia.co.in/Asunra%20Novartis.html
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Hello,
Majority of the doctors are advising Cipla's Desirox to the thals here in India. But, my doctor in Mumbai has kept it simple for us. If you can afford Asunra (Exjade) go for it. If you can't, then give Desirox a shot.
If am not wrong, Cipla hasn't performed any trials of this drug.
\peace/
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Hello friends
I am attaching a few publications on Asunra, Interested people can go through them