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A Pakistani Scientist invented interferon injection cost $ 0.073 only
Recently a scandal has been published in Pakistani print media which was very sad to hear. A Pakistani Scientist named Sheikh Riaz ud Din invented a very cheapest interferon injection. Its cost was Rs. 7 which is equal to $ 0.073 only. Mafia involved in importing Interferon from foreign countries became active and this scientist was blammed that he is corrupt and was involved in trials by different accountability bureaus. Yesterday the truth about his efforts and his honesty came to the notice of PAC (Public Accounts Committee) and Supreme court of Pakistan. Matter is being investigated again by Supreme Court of Pakistan. I am very hopeful that he will be acknowledged for his efforts and will be allowed for preparation of this cheapest Interferon alpha injection. If it is done poor people of pakistan will get financial relief as imported injection cost in thousands. Majority of people can not afford this due to high cost. It is big news for pakistani HCV patient as you know about 13 % population of pak is affected by HCV
Now matter is be investigated by Supreme court of pakistan and i hope that positive result will come all the hurdles will be removed
My first inclination was to question the efficacy of the Interferon since Pakistan is notorious for manufacturing low cost drugs as well as a few bogus ones. That does not seem to be the issue at all in this case however.
The one related story I found says:
http://www.brecorder.com/top-stories/0/1250755/
The Ministry of Science and Technology, instead of encouraging microbiologist Dr Sheikh Riazuddin in manufacturing low-cost drug, initiated an inquiry against him through the FIA. Dr Riazuddin, the former director of the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB) of the Centre of Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), had developed the low-cost 'interferon' injection used for curing hepatitis C and proposed to sell it for Rs 70 per injection - almost 100 percent below the prevailing market price.
Dr Riazuddin informed the committee that the health ministry had not only approved the 'interferon' produced by the CEMB, but also sanctioned funds for the purpose. The product was even validated by German laboratories. The research work was undertaken six years ago at the CEMB of the CAMB and the Allama Iqbal Medical College (AIMC).
ā In the phase-I trial, 10 volunteer medical students were injected the drug without any serious adverse effect; however, permission for the clinical trial has been pending with the health ministry for about three years, he added. Dr Riazuddin had proposed to sell the products to the general public at throwaway prices. This, however, was obviously not acceptable to the multinational pharmaceutical laboratories and their supporters in the government, as evident from a letter issued to the Secretary Ministry of Health from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the report said.ā
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This is a shame given about 10 million people infected with Hepatitis- C in Pakistan (6% of the population)
http://dawn.com/2011/11/28/about-10-million-people-infected-with-hepatitis-c-in-pakistan/
The one related story I found says:
http://www.brecorder.com/top-stories/0/1250755/
The Ministry of Science and Technology, instead of encouraging microbiologist Dr Sheikh Riazuddin in manufacturing low-cost drug, initiated an inquiry against him through the FIA. Dr Riazuddin, the former director of the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB) of the Centre of Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), had developed the low-cost 'interferon' injection used for curing hepatitis C and proposed to sell it for Rs 70 per injection - almost 100 percent below the prevailing market price.
Dr Riazuddin informed the committee that the health ministry had not only approved the 'interferon' produced by the CEMB, but also sanctioned funds for the purpose. The product was even validated by German laboratories. The research work was undertaken six years ago at the CEMB of the CAMB and the Allama Iqbal Medical College (AIMC).
ā In the phase-I trial, 10 volunteer medical students were injected the drug without any serious adverse effect; however, permission for the clinical trial has been pending with the health ministry for about three years, he added. Dr Riazuddin had proposed to sell the products to the general public at throwaway prices. This, however, was obviously not acceptable to the multinational pharmaceutical laboratories and their supporters in the government, as evident from a letter issued to the Secretary Ministry of Health from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the report said.ā
______________
This is a shame given about 10 million people infected with Hepatitis- C in Pakistan (6% of the population)
http://dawn.com/2011/11/28/about-10-million-people-infected-with-hepatitis-c-in-pakistan/
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