Can β-thalassemia patients in Kurdistan benefit from new treatment authorized by UK MHRA
According to the approved data and research by England NHS in the UK, people of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, south and southeast Asian origin are with β-thalassemia.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – In a press conference on Saturday, November 16th, 2024, the Head of Kurdistan Public Health Agency, Dr. Muhamed Husen stated "under Mala Mustafa Barzani Office’s supervision, with a budge 40 million dinars, we provided more than 1.500 filtered blood bags to the Zhin private hospital in Duhok,"
Dr Husen reaffirmed providing medical supplies to medical centers in all cities and towns in Kurdistan Region and will continue.
Depending on the scientific researches, most people with thalassaemia whether mild or severe types will need to have regular blood transfusions.
An extra treatment is needed, which is from anaemia, as well as excess and accumulated iron as a result of the blood volume from the donor to the receiver.
β-thalassemia as it is known is a genetic condition, diagnosed as the genetic blood disorder caused by the unusual genes for haemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. It is a life-long condition and in some cases, it can be fatal.
According to the approved data and research by England NHS in the UK, people of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, south and southeast Asian origin are with β-thalassemia.
Patients who are thalassemic often need a blood transfusion every 3 to 5 weeks as well as injections and medicines throughout their lives.
In general thalassemia can cause heart problems, delayed puberty, low hormone levels, infections during treatments, problem with thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), bone weakness, perhaps gallstones treating and/ or gallbladder removal.
Last year in November 2023, the UK government approved a new medicine invented, however its trial is ongoing and further results will be available in due courses by the government’s independent scientific advisory committee.
The new treatment for transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia was authorized by the British Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The age that is recommended is 12 and over, after an uncompromising assessment in terms of the safety, quality and effectiveness.
Casgevy, the treatment procedure, is designed to work on the stem cells, so that the body produces a functioning haemoglobin.
The stem cells are taken out from bone marrow, edited in a laboratory and then infused back into the patient, the results and effects are expected to be life-long.
This treatment procedure that MHRA authorized is the world-first gene therapy, it aims to cure sickle-cell disease and transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia.
