Snakebite antivenom about to run out, leaves thousands of individuals at risk

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About five million individuals across the globe suffer from snakebites and snake attacks every year, resulting to about 100,000 deaths and 400,000 disabilities. Unfortunately, it looks like these numbers will increase as the only approved antivenom supply continues to dwindle, and will expire next year.

Newsweek reports that according to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), an international aid organization, the pharmaceutical company which manufactures the antivenom, declared that the last stockpiles of Fav-Afrique will expire in June 2016. The company stopped production last year and stated that there will be a two-year waiting period before a new product becomes available. This will put more lives at risk, especially in locations where people are more exposed to snakes.

Manica Balasegaram, executive director of Access Campaign under MSF, shares that the lack of antivenom may leave doctors and experts to resort to alternative ways to help them treat snakebites. She fears that the scarcity will increase the number of fatality, morbidity and serious injuries, which can result to a worldwide crisis.

Sanofi Pasteur, the pharmaceutical company who produces Fav-Afrique, has stopped its production of the antivenom since it needs to focus in the production of an anti-rabies treatment, BBC News writes. The company is willing to share their formula with others, if deemed necessary. In fact, Sanofi is already in talks with another company to help in the production of Fav-Afrique, although it won't be finalized until late next year.

Polly Markandya, head of communications at MSF, shares that most victims do not know or recall the type of snake that have bitten them, which is why Fav-Afrique is the most effective.  The drug can work against different and almost all variety of snake species. Cheaper, alternative antivenom treatment is available in the market, but MSF feels they are not as good as Fav-Afrique.

MSF has called a meeting in Switzerland for all international agencies to get together and ensure that antivenom treatment is available where it is required, New York Daily News adds. MSF criticizes the World Health Organization (WHO) for letting something like this to happen and said that the organization should take charge in looking for a solution to the problem.

Gregory Harti, spokesman of WHO, says that they already have a medical staffer dealing with the snakebite issue; although he admits that donors and funding are scarce, making it difficult to be on top of the issue.