Introduction

In an exciting development for epilepsy treatment access, Levetiracetam UCB 500 mg is now available and reimbursed for Rwandan patients suffering from epilepsy, marking a tremendous leap in healthcare for low- and middle-income communities. This pharmacological breakthrough comes after its previous endorsement by private insurance schemes beginning in May, highlighting a progressive move towards addressing a pressing health concern in the region.

Healthcare Disparities

Shockingly, around 80% of individuals with epilepsy reside in low- and middle-income countries, where treatment gaps are staggering—over 75% in many low-income nations and over 50% in middle-income areas. This highlights a crisis: epilepsy remains a leading cause of severe disability and mortality, particularly in underserved regions plagued by inadequate healthcare systems, resource inequalities, and pervasive stigma surrounding the condition.

Company Commitment

With a legacy of over 30 years dedicated to epilepsy research and development, our company is committed to addressing these significant healthcare disparities. We aim to forge new business models to reach and support the underserved epilepsy demographics by enhancing accessibility to our generic antiseizure medications in regions with high epilepsy prevalence.

Regulatory Approval and WHO Listing

In a notable landmark achievement, our Levetiracetam—now included in the WHO Essential Medicines List since 2023—has received regulatory approval from the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority as of early 2024, making it the first of its kind from our portfolio to reach the market in a sub-Saharan country.

Treatment Efficacy

This medication serves as a crucial treatment option, providing a monotherapy for adults and adolescents over 16 years with newly diagnosed epilepsy experiencing partial onset seizures, along with various other indications. It can also serve as adjunctive therapy for patients of all ages suffering from different types of seizures, including myoclonic and generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

But the journey doesn’t end here! Our relentless pursuit of ensuring equitable access to life-saving treatments continues, and we invite you to stay tuned for more groundbreaking updates as we endeavor to bring essential solutions to underserved communities worldwide. This is just the beginning!