Serum Institute of India Ltd is keen to have a reduction on the import duty for its latest product Rebif, prescribed to delay the progression of multiple sclerosis, an incurable disease of the central nervous system.

The company is exploring ways to make the therapy more cost-effective and is lobbying with the government to waive the import duty of 51 per cent as multiple sclerosis is a life threatening disorder and the drugs used for treatment could probably be classified under life saving category. The main aim of the company is to make the treatment affordable, Rohinton D Wadia, marketing manager said at a press conclave.

The latest therapy with Rebif (a Interferon-beta 1a) is a ‘gold standard’ from Serono, a global biotechnology leader which has adopted used hi-tech genetic engineering process to develop the product. Serono is marketing the product through Serum International Ltd in India.

Rebif, a ready-to-use pre-filled syringe is priced around Rs. 11,000 but the company is making it available through neuro-physicians in India at a cost of Rs. 8,500. Reimbursements from the Foundations, Societies, large corporate houses and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) are also been worked out. The drug is known to improve the quality of life, prevent relapses, reduces the frequency and severity of attacks. The treatment with Rebif is a dose-dependent response which is prescribed for a period of six months with a thrice weekly dosage.

Currently, there is no prevalence pattern established in the country for the onset of the disease that is known to affect any age group and sex. The symptoms of the disease are unpredictable and are mistaken for other neuro disorders. With MRI (magnetic resonance imaging and Evoked Potential Studies it is easy to diagnose faster and identify the disease much earlier, said Dr. R Shrinivas, professor and head of the department of neurology, MS Ramaiah Medical College.

Studies indicate a high prevalence in the Scandinavian countries and the West where 4- 5 persons in one lakh population are know to suffer from Multiple Sclerosis. In India, one out of every lakh people suffer from Multiple Sclerosis, but the numbers could be more, as many cases in the country could be undiagnosed. In Bangalore, there are around 50-60 patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The large number of diagnosis could be attributed to the presence of NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences), MIND (Manipal Institute of Neurological Disorders) and dedicated neuro departments at the MS Ramaiah Medical College and other leading hospitals in the city.

There are also four to five Multiple Sclerosis Societies in the country, which are patient-driven centres to help the affected cases receive the latest treatment options.

Serum, has a collaboration with Serono since 1989 and has been marketing the latter’s range of infertility and recombinant growth hormone drugs in the country. Plans are underway by Serum to introduce ‘Serostim’ a recombinant growth hormone to arrest muscle waste in AIDS patients.