Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan announced that another drug used by SMA patients has been added to the SGK reimbursement list.

Another drug used by SMA patients has been included in the SGK reimbursement list.

Minister Işıkhan participated in the 14th Private Hospitals and Healthcare Institutions Association (OHSAD) Congress.

During the meeting, Minister Işıkhan delivered good news about medication for SMA patients.

Minister Işıkhan stated, “In addition to the drug we have been reimbursing since 2017, which is used in the treatment of SMA patients, we will also add another drug used for the disease treatment and provides ease of use to our children to our SGK reimbursement list.”

BLOOD THINNER MEDICINE ALSO IN THE LIST Minister Işıkhan announced that another drug for Hemophilia A patients has been included in the list, saying, “Last month, we added a blood thinner medicine that can be easily administered under the skin at home for Hemophilia A patients to our reimbursement list. This treatment, which can be administered at home without the need for opening a vein in the hospital, provides great convenience in the treatment of Hemophilia A patients, especially for children and families.”

WHAT IS SMA? Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease that affects the nerve cells known as motor neurons, which control voluntary muscle movements, leading to muscle weakness. The inability of muscles to respond to signals from the nerve cells in the spinal cord results in muscle atrophy and eventual loss. The patient loses control over the muscles in the arms, legs, head, and neck. Movements such as walking, crawling, head and neck control, swallowing, and breathing are affected. In SMA, which causes muscle loss and weakness, vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch sensations, as well as mental and emotional functionalities, remain completely normal.