Commitment to care: Delivering therapy to Alpha-1 patients

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Hutt, Edward

Note: [] Dr. Edward Hutt, MD, worked for PPTA as Director Public Affairs from 2000 to 2004

Abstract: Plasma products are used to treat a number of serious inherited disorders, of which the best known is haemophilia. However, a number of other conditions exist at a similar frequency in the population but are much less well known: Alpha 1-Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency or 'Alpha-1' is one of these. Alpha-1 is a life-threatening genetic disorder in some individuals who demonstrate clinical evidence of emphysema. Left untreated, this form of emphysema can be fatal. Historically, people with Alpha-1 have been concerned with the critical short supply of the therapy. Recent product approvals will provide the desperately needed product, so people with Alpha-1 can focus more on their lives and less on when their therapy will be available.

Journal: Pharmaceuticals, Policy and Law, vol. 7, no. 0, pp. 135-140, 2006