‘Wonder drug’ to treat sickle cell disease

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

In line with the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Health Ministry has started providing Crizanlizumab, a revolutionary life-changing drug treatment for patients suffering from sickle cell disease.

The treatment has recently started to be offered by the National Health Service in the UK, and is the first to become available for the disease in 20 years.

Crizanlizumab can be used by drip transfusion in sickle cell patients over 16 years of age. The revolutionary drug works by binding to a protein in blood cells to prevent the restriction of blood and oxygen supply.