Binasia-Pakistan National Workshop on Biotechnology here on Sunday was apprised about the locally developed Hepatitis-B diagnostic kit, which is available at one-third of the cost of the imported kit.
Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB) Director Dr S Riazuddin presented a detailed account of the kit and also briefed about the cloning of human interferon gene and possibility of local production, in collaboration with locally manufacturing pharmaceutical companies to provide this important drug at one-fourth of the prevailing market price.
In this connection, an agreement is being negotiated with the Punjab Health Department. It is pointed out that Prime Minister has announced Rs 2.5 billion programme for the provision of interferon to hepatitis-C patients.
At present, carrier rate of hepatitis-C is eight per cent and it is fast spreading, while its treatment cost with normal interferon per patient is Rs 200,000 and Rs four to five lakh for the pegalyted. Therefore, the availability is limited to an extremely small proportion of the affected individuals; however, the decrease in the cost will definitely facilitate more patients.
Around 16 speakers presented an account of the ongoing programme and future plans in their respective laboratories on the 2nd day of the workshop at the Punjab University Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB). The workshop focused on Bt transgenic rice and cotton developed at CEMB, fungus and virus free gladiolus, potato and sugarcane, hybrid tomato seeds and the uses and applications of DNA in forensic analysis.
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