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Friday, March 11, 2011

Benlysta (Belimumab) : To Treat Lupus

Yay!
Benlysta (Human Genome Sciences / GlaxoSmithKline), the new breakthrough drug for lupus.
Especially for Lupus.
Approved by FDA to treat lupus!

So, why are all Lupie's' so excited?
Well, this may come shocking, but there are only 3 drugs approved to treat lupus by FDA, namely Asprin (1948), Corticosteriod & Plaquenil (1955) up until now, Benlysta (2011)

Hold your horses though (cats for some of us ...)

Here are two interesting facts on Benlysta :-

Although African American are known to be more predisposed with Lupus, yet, in clinical studies, they have shown not to respond to Benlysta. (How about Asians?).

And, cost of Benlysta ...... drum roll pls .......
Estimated at USD 35,000 per annum , translated into RM 100,000 (a year!!!!!)
Cellcept that I'm taking, costs about RM 15K - 20K a year and I had to step on "many" feets to get it.
Imagine Benlysta, I need to take someone 'hostage'?

How does it work?
Will it cure, induce remission or ... just control (like all the other drugs?).
I don't know.

The price tag is beyond rich  reach to me at the moment, but, well, who knows? I might strike a lottery one of these days.

Benlysta will probably take another 5 years before it reaches our, ahem, mighty nation. (Hopefully, no drug recall by then)
Another 10 years for generic?

Sigh ...

Oh well, at least, it is a start ...

8 comments:

Old Kitty said...

Oh Bin!!! It's a great glimmer of hope on the horizon!! I have everything crossed that maybe this drug will be in circulation sooner!!! I do hope you benefit from it asap!!!! It's hopeful, it's positive and that's something!! Now for it to be affordable and available!!! Yay!!!!! Take care
x

Hannah and Lucy said...

Bin - there is hope that the drug will be come available sooner than you think. At least in a year or so any side effects will have come to light and hopefully dealt with. Stay positive.
Luv to Lucky and you - Hannah and Lucy xx xx

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

I agree so much with the others. Stay possitive and it is a light through the tunnel.. Sending love.. Hugs GJ xx

Mr Puddy said...

Lupie, I'm the same, I agree with others. You never know the drug may come quicker than you think, Keep Positive ! and I keep paws cross for you plus purring on top !

Please Take Care
xxxx

Shaista said...

Bin, did you get my email??
I sent it to sillylupie77@gmail.com
Is that right?

Jacqueline said...

Sweet Bin, we sure hope that drug becomes available to you sooner than you think and hope you are doing well these days...Happy weekend, precious friends, big smoochies to our Lucky...Calle, Halle, Sukki

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

Yes! A friend of mine was in the testing for this drug and she's been on it for 2 years and is totally in 'remission'! Her name is Janice and here is a link to her interview!

http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/140712/28/Local-Lupus-Community-Reacts-To-Drug-Approval

doc said...

when the drug is launched here, your physician might be able to give you some free samples.

but yeah, you might have to take him/her hostage first!