Doctors in the city will soon be writing to the state government, seeking inclusion of arthritis in the government schemes meant to assist the poor.
Under the banner of the Indian Rheumatology Association (IRA), city doctors and several patient groups would send a memorandum to the state government, seeking that Arthritis be treated similar to diseases like cancer and cardiac ailment and be covered by the schemes. Doctors say that even as improvised arthritis drugs are available in the market to minimise the pain, not many are able to afford them. Dr Chandrashekara S, executive member, IRA explained that among patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, about 30% get better with oral medication which costs about Rs 1,800 a month.
"For the rest of the 70% who do not respond to this medication, Biologics, an advanced drug, is the only option. This would cost anywhere between Rs 20,000 and Rs 40,000 a month," he explained.
Even though arthritis drugs are made available at the ESIC hospitals under the central government health scheme, the number of beneficiaries is minuscule. "At ESIC, drugs for arthritis are not on the priority drug list. Many patients come to us and say that the drugs are out of stock," he said.
With arthritis being classified as a 'chronic disease' under several private insurance policies, it would not help the beneficiary get timely treatment, according to Dr Chandrashekara. "Since it is labelled as a chronic disease, patients will not benefit.
Also there is no clear classification of Psoriatic, Rheumatoid or Osteo Arthritis," he said, adding that each would need a different treatment.
Dr Somashekar, consultant rheumatologist, Hosmat Hospital, said 50% of the patients need Biologics, but just about 2 to 5% are able to afford it. "In patients taking Biologics, the disease control is rapid. It is a preferred form of treatment," he added.
![]( "Under the banner of the Indian Rheumatology Association (IRA), city doctors and several patient groups would send a memorandum to the state government, seeking that Arthritis be treated similar to diseases like cancer and cardiac ailment and be covered by the schemes. pti file photo")
Doctors in the city will soon be writing to the state government, seeking inclusion of arthritis in the government schemes meant to assist the poor.
Under the banner of the Indian Rheumatology Association (IRA), city doctors and several patient groups would send a memorandum to the state government, seeking that Arthritis be treated similar to diseases like cancer and cardiac ailment and be covered by the schemes. Doctors say that even as improvised arthritis drugs are available in the market to minimise the pain, not many are able to afford them. Dr Chandrashekara S, executive member, IRA explained that among patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, about 30% get better with oral medication which costs about Rs 1,800 a month.
"For the rest of the 70% who do not respond to this medication, Biologics, an advanced drug, is the only option. This would cost anywhere between Rs 20,000 and Rs 40,000 a month,” he explained.
Even though arthritis drugs are made available at the ESIC hospitals under the central government health scheme, the number of beneficiaries is minuscule. "At ESIC, drugs for arthritis are not on the priority drug list. Many patients come to us and say that the drugs are out of stock,” he said.
With arthritis being classified as a 'chronic disease’ under several private insurance policies, it would not help the beneficiary get timely treatment, according to Dr Chandrashekara. "Since it is labelled as a chronic disease, patients will not benefit.
Also there is no clear classification of Psoriatic, Rheumatoid or Osteo Arthritis,” he said, adding that each would need a different treatment.
Dr Somashekar, consultant rheumatologist, Hosmat Hospital, said 50% of the patients need Biologics, but just about 2 to 5% are able to afford it. "In patients taking Biologics, the disease control is rapid. It is a preferred form of treatment,” he added.
Under the banner of the Indian Rheumatology Association (IRA), city doctors and several patient groups would send a memorandum to the state government, seeking that Arthritis be treated similar to diseases like cancer and cardiac ailment and be covered by the schemes. Doctors say that even as improvised arthritis drugs are available in the market to minimise the pain, not many are able to afford them. Dr Chandrashekara S, executive member, IRA explained that among patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, about 30% get better with oral medication which costs about Rs 1,800 a month.
"For the rest of the 70% who do not respond to this medication, Biologics, an advanced drug, is the only option. This would cost anywhere between Rs 20,000 and Rs 40,000 a month," he explained.
Even though arthritis drugs are made available at the ESIC hospitals under the central government health scheme, the number of beneficiaries is minuscule. "At ESIC, drugs for arthritis are not on the priority drug list. Many patients come to us and say that the drugs are out of stock," he said.
With arthritis being classified as a 'chronic disease' under several private insurance policies, it would not help the beneficiary get timely treatment, according to Dr Chandrashekara. "Since it is labelled as a chronic disease, patients will not benefit.
Also there is no clear classification of Psoriatic, Rheumatoid or Osteo Arthritis," he said, adding that each would need a different treatment.
Dr Somashekar, consultant rheumatologist, Hosmat Hospital, said 50% of the patients need Biologics, but just about 2 to 5% are able to afford it. "In patients taking Biologics, the disease control is rapid. It is a preferred form of treatment," he added.
Doctors in the city will soon be writing to the state government, seeking inclusion of arthritis in the government schemes meant to assist the poor. Under the banner of the Indian Rheumatology Association (IRA), city doctors and several patient groups would send a memorandum to the state government, seeking that Arthritis be treated similar to diseases like cancer and cardiac ailment and be covered by the schemes. Doctors say that even as improvised arthritis drugs are available in the market to minimise the pain, not many are able to afford them. Dr Chandrashekara S, executive member, IRA explained that among patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, about 30% get better with oral medication which costs about Rs 1,800 a month.
"For the rest of the 70% who do not respond to this medication, Biologics, an advanced drug, is the only option. This would cost anywhere between Rs 20,000 and Rs 40,000 a month,” he explained.
Even though arthritis drugs are made available at the ESIC hospitals under the central government health scheme, the number of beneficiaries is minuscule. "At ESIC, drugs for arthritis are not on the priority drug list. Many patients come to us and say that the drugs are out of stock,” he said.
With arthritis being classified as a 'chronic disease’ under several private insurance policies, it would not help the beneficiary get timely treatment, according to Dr Chandrashekara. "Since it is labelled as a chronic disease, patients will not benefit.
Also there is no clear classification of Psoriatic, Rheumatoid or Osteo Arthritis,” he said, adding that each would need a different treatment.
Dr Somashekar, consultant rheumatologist, Hosmat Hospital, said 50% of the patients need Biologics, but just about 2 to 5% are able to afford it. "In patients taking Biologics, the disease control is rapid. It is a preferred form of treatment,” he added.