Ministry of Health statement on SMA drugs: Why was Zolgensma not included in the list?
The Ministry of Health has issued a statement regarding drugs used in the treatment of SMA. Stating that drugs with the active ingredients Nusinersen and Risdiplam are available in Turkey, the Ministry announced that the drug Zolgensma was not included in the list of drugs from abroad due to a lack of scientific evidence. Additionally, emphasis was placed on treatment costs and the concept of a social state.
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In a statement made from the Ministry of Health's social media account, it was emphasized that the drugs used for SMA disease and the treatment process are being closely monitored.
Nusinersen: Added to the List of Drugs from Abroad in 2017, licensed in 2022, and included in the reimbursement scope.
Risdiplam: Added to the list in 2020, licensed in 2024.
While it was stated that these two drugs are still accessible in Turkey, it was expressed that scientific data is taken as the basis in the treatment processes of SMA patients.
WHY WAS ZOLGENSMA NOT INCLUDED IN THE LIST?
In the statement, it was noted that the drug named Zolgensma, which is on the agenda for SMA treatment, was not added to the List of Drugs from Abroad. The justification for this decision was explained as follows:
"It has not been included in the list by the SMA Scientific Committee as there is insufficient scientific evidence that Zolgensma is superior to existing treatments."
The Ministry announced that scientific developments regarding the disease are being closely followed and that the results of high-quality international clinical research will be taken as the basis for treatment processes.
TREATMENT COSTS AND EMPHASIS ON THE SOCIAL STATE
The Ministry of Health stated that the costs of SMA treatments are taken into consideration as much as their effectiveness. The statement included the following expressions:
"The treatments implemented for SMA involve rationalizing treatment costs with the benefit they provide to patients. The Ministry of Health and relevant committees must also take into account Turkey's total drug expenditure budget and the treatment of other diseases when evaluating new treatment options."
It was emphasized that Turkey is one of the most important social states in the world in terms of pharmaceutical and medical device services, and it was stated that the state is determined to offer the best treatment opportunities to SMA patients.