Local Hepatitis C drug production starts
A pharmaceutical company has started locally producing Pegylated Interferon for the Hepatitis C virus. The product was launched on Saturday. Approximately every twentieth person in Pakistan is infected with hepatitis C.
DG Health Prof Dr Rashid Jooma inaugurated the ceremony instead of the prime minister, who was called away for the flooding. Locally producing this drug will mean it will be available at cheaper rates in Pakistan.
In 1999, the World Health Organisation estimated a global prevalence of about three per cent with the virus, affecting 170 million people worldwide. The figure has now crossed 250 million. The Pakistan Medical Research Council estimated in 2009 that the prevalence of Hepatitis C was 4.9 per cent in Pakistan, with Punjab being more affected at 6.7 per cent than other provinces.
Sindh has five per cent prevalence. Getz Pharma is producing this drug. Pegylated Interferon alfa-2a (Unipeg) is its second biotechnology product. It was developed and tested in Europe, through a technology-transfer arrangement.
Pegylated Interferon alfa-2a (Unipeg) is now available in the market and is being prescribed.
All pre-clinical studies were carried out in Europe, South Africa and the US with the help of a team of scientists from Europe. In order to validate and localise the results, the product was also tested by Pakistani scientists at the Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), Lahore. Safety tests were carried out not only by scientists in Europe but also by local scientists at the HEJ Institute, Karachi.
Hep C is treated with this drug and ribavirin.
In separate but related news, the chairperson of the Kolachi Social Viable Association (KSVA), Kiran Jamote, said on Saturday that a large number of people in Ibrahim Hyderi, Bin Qasim Town and adjoining areas are being vaccinated for Hepatitis by their teams.
About 1,200 patients were tested, out of which 700 had Hepatitis C and 13 Hepatitis B. About 6,000 patients, including men, women and children, have been vaccinated so far.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 8th, 2010.