Revolutionizing Sickle Cell Diagnosis: Affordable Testing Kits on the Horizon

Sickle cell anaemia test prices in India have significantly dropped to under Rs 50, facilitating widespread diagnosis. The government plans large-scale screening under the National Sickle Cell Elimination Programme, impacting 7 crore people. Rapid validation and public procurement processes ensure high-quality, cost-effective kits available nationwide.

Sickle cell anaemia diagnosis in India has become substantially more affordable, with the cost of testing kits dropping to less than Rs 50, thanks to governmental efforts aimed at accessible diagnosis and eradication of this blood disorder. The initiative is set to significantly impact the National Sickle Cell Elimination Programme's target population of 7 crore.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) centers in Mumbai and Nagpur have validated 35 point-of-care tests for sickle cell anaemia, developed by various firms over the past six months. Initially, the manufacturer's quote per test was Rs 350. However, following a comprehensive assessment by ICMR's departments, the cost was deemed reasonable if kept at Rs 100 per test or below.

The subsequent public tendering and procurement process brought the kit prices down to Rs 82, achieving savings of Rs 1,857 crore. Ultimately, new kits were validated, with the manufacturer agreeing to a sale price of less than Rs 50 per test. These kits are vital for remote and tribal areas, supporting India's mission to eliminate sickle cell disease by 2047.

(With inputs from agencies.)