As the country is facing non-availability of life-saving drug D-Penicillamine, prescribed for Wilson’s disease, Panacea Biotec, which is one of the manufacturers of D-Penicillamine capsules, has taken several initiatives to make the drug available to needy patients including launching a website and forming a Whatsapp Group.

Wilson’s disease is a rare and potentially fatal genetic disorder that causes excessive accumulation of copper in vital organs like the eyes, liver, kidneys and brain. The disease could even cause liver failure if left untreated, leaving the patient in need of a transplant. Panacea Biotec, New Delhi; Fleming Laboratories, Hyderabad; VHB Life Sciences, Mumbai; Chandra Bhagat Pharma, Mumbai; Biophore Pharmaceuticals, Hyderabad; and German Remedies (A Division of Cadila Healthcare Limited), Ahmedabad are the major producers of  D-Penicillamine in the country.

For the last some months, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)'s office has been receiving various representations regarding the nonavailability of D-Penicillamine in the country. As per the representations, the drug has disappeared from the market in the recent past and it is no more available in the country. It was also mentioned that at present the availability of bulk drug is also an issue as the suppliers of the drug’s most crucial raw material are now favouring other markets for better margins. The availability of the drug is very important as there are no alternatives for the treatment of Wilson’s disease in the country.

To find a solution to the issue, DCGI Dr GN Singh convened a meeting with the companies that produce this life-saving drug on September 30. In the meeting, Panacea Biotec informed that they had launched a website www.cilamin.com for emergency supplies to patients and for access to latest information on its availability.  The company also informed that a Whatsapp Group, Cilamin Support (9350588528) of patients, doctor and the company executives. Besides, the company has formed a Twitter Handle, @cilamin250; and Facebook page viz https://www.facebook.com/cilamin250 for support, monitoring and real time communication.

Any person facing any difficulty in procuring D-Penicillamine capsule may contact Panacea Biotec through these communication channels, the DCGI said.