As stocks of the best treatment for juvenile arthritis run out across Australia, a leading pediatric rheumatologist has urged the federal government to shore up supplies of Naprosyn.
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Australian rheumatologists have gathered in Canberra for an annual meeting and Davinder Singh-Grewal from the Sydney Children's Hospital said life for children without the anti-inflammatory painkiller would be harder and cost the government more in the long run.
About four out of every 1000 children have juvenile idiopathic arthritis and Dr Singh-Grewal said Naprosyn in a suspension form - the only easily administrable non-steroidal option for children - was prescribed for most.
''[The shortage is] a significant problem for us and a problem for families because to have it compounded costs a fair amount more than the suspension and … it doesn't store as well over long periods of time, so they will find themselves at the pharmacy more often.''
This month, Canberra parents Belinda and Scott Milne spoke out about their three-year-old son's struggle with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. They credit Naprosyn with treating the crippling illness and improving his quality of life.
Dr Singh-Grewal said, in NSW, the state government funds 15 minutes of specialist time a year for each child with juvenile arthritis, which isn't enough. ''In the ACT there is no specific funding for the care of children with juvenile arthritis.''
He said sufferers often can't attend school, which affects their job prospects in the long term.