scholarly journals Analysis of patient access to orphan drugs in Turkey

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Güvenç Koçkaya ◽  
Sibel Atalay ◽  
Gülpembe Oğuzhan ◽  
Mustafa Kurnaz ◽  
Selin Ökçün ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Rare diseases are life-threatening, serious, and chronic conditions that require complex care and have a low prevalence. An estimated one in 15 people worldwide are affected by rare diseases. This study aims to analyze the accessibility, reimbursement status, licensed status, and Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) codes of drugs that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in Turkey considers to be “orphan” pharmaceuticals. Methods The drugs included in this analysis were obtained from the list of orphan drugs published by the EMA. Orphan drugs’ accessibility and licensing status in Turkey were obtained from the Health Implementation Communiqué published by the Social Security Institution (SGK) and the List of Abroad Active Substance and List of Licensed Products published by the Turkey Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK). Descriptive analysis was applied to determine the accessibility status of orphan drugs identified by the EMA in Turkey. Results Based on the EMA, 105 pharmaceuticals were approved with “orphan drug” status except for drugs that have lost orphan drug status, decommissioned in the European Union and withdrawn from the European Community Register by January 2020. Of the 105 rare drugs on the EMA list, 34 were inaccessible in Turkey. Of the 71 available drugs, 23 (32%) were licensed and 48 (68%) were unlicensed in Turkey. 17 (74%) of licensed products and 17 (35%) of unlicensed products were covered by reimbursement. When orphan drugs’ ATC codes were examined, the most common ATC group was found to be “L—Antineoplastic and Immunomodulatory” agents. Conclusion An orphan drug incentive policy is very important to ensure early access to the drugs used to treat rare diseases. Considering the capacity and prices for orphan drugs in Turkey, it can be said that many patients with rare diseases have difficulty in their treatment. It is obvious that such a policy must prepare for the regulation of orphan drugs in Turkey.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
GÜVENÇ KOÇKAYA ◽  
Sibel Atalay ◽  
Gulpembe Oguzhan ◽  
Mustafa Kurnaz ◽  
Selin Okcun ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Rare diseases are life-threatening, serious, and chronic genetic conditions that require complex care and have a low prevalence. An estimated one in 15 people worldwide are affected by rare diseases. This study aims to analyze the accessibility, reimbursement status, licensed status, and Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) codes of drugs that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in Turkey considers to be “orphan” pharmaceuticals. Methods: The drugs included in this analysis were obtained from the list of orphan drugs published by the EMA. Orphan drugs’ accessibility and licensing status in Turkey were obtained from the Health Implementation Communiqué published by the Social Security Institution (SGK) and the List of Abroad Active Substance and List of Licensed Products published by the Turkey Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK). Descriptive analysis was applied to determine the accessibility status of orphan drugs identified by the EMA in Turkey.Results: Based on the EMA, 105 pharmaceuticals were approved with “orphan drug” status by January 2020. Of the 105 rare drugs on the EMA list, 34 were inaccessible in Turkey. Of the 71 available drugs, 23 (32%) were licensed and 48 (68%) were unlicensed in Turkey. Seventeen licensed products (74%) and 17 unlicensed products (35%) were covered by reimbursement. When orphan drugs’ ATC codes were examined, the most common ATC group was found to be “L –Antineoplastic and Immunomodulatory” agents.Conclusion: An orphan drug incentive policy is very important to ensure early access to the drugs used to treat rare diseases. It is obvious that such a policy must prepare for the regulation of orphan drugs in Turkey.


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-98
Author(s):  
Roberta Joppi

The paper presents an overview of the European and Italian Regulation on Orphan Medicinal Products (OMPs), along with some data on the OMPs licensed in the EU from 2000 to 2012. The EU legislation encourages pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs for rare diseases, so-called “orphan drugs”. The European Medicine Agency recognizes orphan drug status mainly on the basis of the prevalence of the disease (≤ 5/10,000), and potential benefit. Orphan status implies incentives for pharmaceutical companies. From 2000 up to 2012 890 candidate orphan drug designations received a positive opinion and the marketing authorization was granted to 72 OMPs corresponding to 80 different indications. Currently, 59 OMPs are available to Italian patients either because licensed to the market by the AIFA or included in the list of the L. 648/96. Despite of an encouraging regulation nearly all the currently estimated rare diseases still await treatments.


F1000Research ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renée J.G. Arnold ◽  
Lida Bighash ◽  
Alejandro Bryón Nieto ◽  
Gabriela Tannus Branco de Araújo ◽  
Juan Gabriel Gay-Molina ◽  
...  

Compared to a decade ago, nearly three times as many drugs for rare diseases are slated for development. This article addresses the market access issues associated with orphan drug status in Europe and the United States in contrast to the legislation in five Latin American (LA) countries that have made strides in this regard--Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Argentina. Based on the success of orphan drug legislation in the EU and US, LA countries should strive to adopt similar strategies with regard to rare diseases and drug development. With the implementation of new targeted regulations, reimbursement strategies, and drug approvals, accessibility to treatment will be improved for people afflicted with rare diseases in these developing countries.


2010 ◽  
Vol 29 (04) ◽  
pp. 191-198
Author(s):  
G. Kluger ◽  
S. Arnold

ZusammenfassungRund ein Drittel aller Patienten mit fokaler Epilepsie ist trotz medikamentöser Behandlung nicht anfallsfrei (1). Insbesondere für diese Patienten mit schwer behandelbaren Epilepsien bieten medikamentöse Neuentwicklungen neue Chancen. Seit 2008 steht in Deutschland für Patienten mit fokaler Epilepsie mit Lacosamid ein Wirkstoff mit einem neuen Wirkungsmechanismus zur Verfügung. 2009 wurde die Medikamentenpalette um Eslicarbazepinacetat erweitert. Beide Substanzen haben in großen randomisierten Doppelblindstudien eine signifikante Reduktion der Anfallshäufigkeit im Vergleich zu Placebo belegen können. Zur Behandlung seltener Erkrankungen können Substanzen mit der Option des “Orphan- Drug”-Status auch nach Untersuchung vergleichsweise geringer Patientenzahlen unter besonderen Auflagen zur Verfügung gestellt werden. Als “Orphan Drug” zur Zusatzbehandlung des Lennox-Gastaut-Syndroms wurde 2007 Rufinamid von der EMEA zugelassen. Bereits seit 2001 ist Stiripentol als “Orphan Drug” von der EMEA zur Zusatzbehandlung des Dravet-Syndromes ausgewiesen und seit 2007 als “Orphan Drug” mit Auflagen für Europa zugelassen. 2008 konnte Stiripentol auch in Deutschland eingeführt werden. In dieser Übersicht sollen die wesentlichen Merkmale der genannten Substanzen dargestellt werden.Da selten auftretende Nebenwirkungen nach der Markteinführung einer Substanz auftreten können, sind weitere Untersuchungen notwendig,um die langfristige Sicherheit der vorgestellten Substanzen zu überprüfen.


2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashmi R Shah

The implementation of Community Regulation on orphan medicinal products in the European Union in April 2000 has resulted in a deluge of applications for designation of medicinal products as orphan for rare diseases. By April 2004, the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products had already given positive opinion on 63 per cent of the 316 applications considered by them. A significant number of these positive designations have already matured into full marketing authorisations. Three major reasons – failure to meet prevalence or significant benefit criteria or provide evidence of biological plausibility – have equally contributed to either the negative opinion on or the applicants withdrawing the remaining applications. In July 2004, the European Commission issued a communication setting out its position on certain matters relating to the implementation of the designation and market exclusivity provisions. The Commission, the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) continue to be proactive and provide as much guidance and incentives as practical, engaging themselves with sponsors, patient groups and academia. As experience builds up and issues are clarified, there are expectations that the Community Regulation on orphan medicines will prove to be a spectacular success.


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