Japanese firms Ono Pharma and Bristol-Myers KK (BMKK) have rolled out the rheumatoid arthritis drug, Orencia Subcutaneous Injection 125mg Syringe 1ml, in Japan.
Orencia SC, whose generic name is abatacept, restrains the discharge of cytokines by hampering the signals that stimulates T-cells, subsequently assists in the suppression of joint inflammation.
The company said that the medicine has been granted permission by various drug regulators in more than 40 countries, including the US and the countries of the European Union (EU).
Japan ministry of health, labour and welfare has approved the product, which will be produced and sold with an indication for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis only for patients with an inadequate response to prior conventional therapy.
In order to decrease the possibility of infection from needle use, the new medicine uses a prefilled syringe with an attached needle cover, thus enhancing safety for both healthcare professionals and rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Following consultation with the physicians, the product can also be used by patients for self-injection.
Contrary to the intravenous injections, the new subcutaneous injection allows patients to receive treatment as per the requirements of their own mode of living, imparting an even greater contribution to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune ailment, whose key symptoms include pain and swelling of joints in hands and legs/feet.
