I was talking to a doctor yesterday at my transfusion centre, and she said that Novartis is willing to import Exjade and provide it to those thals who were not on L1. This would be some kind of a special import since the drug is not yet licenced in India .... so, there is an option for anyone who wants to switch from Desferal.
BUT, there's a catch and it is a BIG one ..... the cost. Novartis plans to charge about $1,000 for a month's treatment. US$1,000!!!!!! Even reasonably well-off thals in India will not be able to afford that price tag. Meanwhile, they have applied to the Indian FDA and their application is in process. They expect to launch it commercially in 2007.
What a farce........
and, thank goodness for Cipla.
Poirot