Video
Clarence Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, assistant professor at Shenandoah University in Ashburn, Virginia, discusses whether treatment methods for beta thalassemia are accessible to patients.
Transcript:
How accessible are treatments for beta thalassemia? What is the process for patients and where can they go for support?
It all depends on what region of the country individuals are from. Historically, the treatments were specifically just blood transfusion. So, you could potentially get blood transfusions and various locations. But the more transfusions an individual has had, the more types of antigens they will be exposed to.
So, being able to receive blood that is matched specifically to them I think is very important. I'm looking at some of the treatments. I'm definitely looking at various formularies, [like] chelation therapy, to determine which products may be approved by one's insurance or which one is going to be recommended based on the recommendation of the physician or the medical team. I think that is also something of importance.