Hope for Sickle Cell Anaemia patients

Panel approves marketing of ‘hydroxyurea’ for SCA treatment

A committee of experts constituted by the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on Thursday critically evaluated a proposal of the ‘CSIR-Sickle Cell Anaemia (CSIR-SCA) Mission’ and approved the marketing of ‘hydroxyurea’ for SCA treatment, subject to post-marketing surveillance.

Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) is a common genetic disorder among Indians affecting the red blood cells. It is transmitted by parents carrying a defective ‘beta globin’ gene. Close to 0.4% of the population suffer from this disease while 10% are carriers who lead to birth of new SCA patients.

The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) with the help of pharma major ‘Cipla’, one of the manufacturers of hydroxyurea, and with active support of the Indian Institute Of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), has approached the Drugs Controller General of India for hydroxyurea approval for SCA treatment, said an official release.