Posted 3 сентября 2021,, 11:42

Published 3 сентября 2021,, 11:42

Modified 24 декабря 2022,, 22:38

Updated 24 декабря 2022,, 22:38

Charitable foundations complain about a shortage of drugs for childhood epilepsy

Charitable foundations complain about a shortage of drugs for childhood epilepsy

3 сентября 2021, 11:42
In Russia, there is a shortage of antiepileptic drugs "Suksilep", "Zarontin" and "Petnidana" (the active ingredient is ethosuximide). The medicine is used to relieve epileptic seizures in children. When replacing the drug, the patient's condition may worsen.

As RBC reports with reference to the Tradition and Right Direction charitable foundations, about 200 requests have already been received about the need for the drug. Etosuximide is included in the list of essential drugs. 96% of sales in 2021 came from government purchases, and only 4% from retail.

The representatives of the pharmacy chains confirmed the lack of the drug in stock. However, doctors say it is difficult to replace ethosuximide with another anticonvulsant drug. And skipping a medication leads to an increase or renewal of seizures. Moreover, children need several dozen packages of the drug a year.

The Russian Ministry of Health is aware of the deficiency of ethosuximide. The total need for the drug is about 24 thousand packages. The ministry appealed to the Ministry of Industry and Trade to take measures and provide medicines in need.

Moreover, Roszdravnadzor says that drugs with the active substance etosuximide did not enter civilian circulation at all this year. In particular, the German manufacturing company Mibe GMBH Artsneimittel informed the department about the suspension of Suksilep supplies to Russia.

According to JSC Pharmimex, which supplies Suksilep, the termination of the import of the drug was caused by the impossibility of re-registering the maximum selling price, which at that time was 1,699 rubles and was considered unprofitable. The price was re-registered in July 2021 - it was fixed at 2242 rubles.

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