Medical experts warn that snakebite antidote is in short supply and thousands of lives may be put at risk mostly in developing countries. The last batch of Fav-Afrique, antidote for 10 different snakebites that commonly occur in Sub-Saharan Africa, are said to expire in June 2016 with no replacement yet as reported in BBC News.
The most effective snakebite treatment in the world is set to expire next year and there is no comparable replacement yet ready, experts say.
Sanofir Pasteur, the company that manufactures the antidote, said that it has been driven out of the market by competitors selling cheaper products and has switched to MCHmaking a rabies treatment instead. The company has already announced its intention to stop manufacturing the antidote in 2010.
However, Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said that the alternative treatments are not as effective. Sanofi said it will share the anti-venom components with others. Although the company is said to be under negotiation with another company to produce the effective antidote, the agreement will not be finalized until late next year.
Given the pace things are progressing, MSF said that replacement products won't be available for the next two years. The absence of Fav-Afrique could lead to unnecessary death according to MSF.
Polly Markandya from MSF said, "Most people who get bitten by a snake aren't exactly sure what kind of snake it is that bit them and so having an anti-venom that works against a variety of different species is really important. We are worried that without that anti-venom available, people will die unnecessarily."
Meanwhile Sanofi Pasteur spokesperson Alain Bernal stated, "It's very strange that the relevant stakeholders are only realizing this problem five years later."
About 30,000 people die from snakebites in Sub-Saharan Africa each year. Furthermore, around 8,000 are amputated as a result of untreated snakebites. About 5 million people worldwide are bitten by snakes each year, 100,000 of which die according to Yahoo News.
When the anti-venom treatment is available, it usually costs $250-$500. In poor countries, the drugs are supplied by donor and aid groups.
This is something that the World Health Organization should look into as investment are badly needed to address the issue.
