Ministry of Health statement on SMA treatment: 'It has not been included in the drug list'

In a statement made on the ministry's social media account, it was noted that two drugs used globally for SMA, containing the active ingredients Nusinersen and Risdiplam, are accessible in Turkey. It was stated that Nusinersen, which was added to the Overseas Drug List in 2017, was licensed and included in the reimbursement scope in 2022, while Risdiplam was added to the list in 2020 and licensed in 2024.

'IT HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE OVERSEAS DRUG LIST'

The statement included the assessment that "The drug named Zolgensma has not been included in the Overseas Drug List by the SMA Scientific Committee as there is no evidence that it is superior to the current treatment," and reported that the SMA Scientific Committee meticulously monitors medical developments regarding the disease and bases treatment processes on scientific data.

Emphasizing that long-term data from international multi-center high-quality clinical trials will form the basis for decisions regarding SMA, the following was recorded:

"Our monitoring regarding SMA also includes rationalizing the cost of treatment with the benefits that the implemented treatments provide to patients.

The Ministry of Health and relevant boards must also take into account Turkey's total drug expenditure budget and the treatment of other diseases when evaluating new options. Turkey is one of the most important social states in the world regarding the drug and medical device services it provides to its citizens by financing them."