Spina bifida drug no longer supplied to Russia
A drug for children with spina bifida no longer being supplied to Russia
03.08.2022
The manufacturer Abbott has stopped supplying Driptan, a drug which is vitally important in the treatment of children with spina bifida – spinal disc herniation – to Russian pharmacies, according to Inna Inyushkina, founder of the Spina Bifida Foundation.
The drug helps in stabilising a child’s kidney function. “It has an effect on the urinary system which children with spina bifida are unable to control themselves. Suddenly stopping supplies could have devastating consequences for thousands of spina bifida children who are now denied access to the drug”, Inyushkina explained.
“Driptan is not available in pharmacies in several Russian regions. The Foundation is negotiating with other suppliers, looking for drugs with similar active ingredients. We are also asking the Federation’s Ministry of Health, the Prosecutor’s Office and Russia’s Children’s Rights Commissioner to take control of the supply situation”, said Inna.
According to Inyushkina, the manufacturer had previously promised that it would continue to supply vital medicines but that Driptan was not on its list. Supplies could resume if the drug can be added to the Vital Essential Drug Register.
Spina bifida is a birth defect in which there is incomplete closing of the spine and the membranes around the spinal cord during the initial stages of pregnancy. The splits in the vertebrae are so small that the spinal cord does not protrude, a condition known as spina bifida occulta.
