Institute of Neurosciences of Apollo Hospitals, Bangalore, have started providing Deep brain stimulation (DBS), to patients with Parkinson’s disease and various other movement disorders. Parkinson’s disease, one of the commonest neurodegenerative disorders, whose prevalence has been increasing with increased life expectancy. Currently millions of people are suffering from Parkinson’s disease world wide and off late.

Long awaited launch of Apomorphine has finally ended. Apomorphine, is expected to provide quick and effective relief to patients suffering from Parkinson's disease, thereby improving their quality of life. Currently, patients suffering from Parkinson's can either opt for oral treatment in the early stages of the disease or choose the more expensive option of deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery which involves stimulating the brain by placing electrodes through small holes inside the skull, in the advanced stages. To keep it under check, the Continuous Dopaminergic Therapy by Apomorphine injections/infusions, which supplies dopamine to the body on a regular and consistent basis thereby negating the fluctuations associated with medications, will be made available.

Finally, the Apomorphine pumps are available in Indian market. The first instillation of the Apomorphine pump happened in India at Vikram Hospitals, Bangalore on 15th May 2019. This young patient had been affected with Parkinson's disease for almost 10 years now with currently medication alone working for about 45mins to one hour. With Apomorphine it is expected to significantly even out the motor fluctuations (On and OFF phenomenons) in the patients. To recaptuate, Apomorphine is a medication used to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. It is a strong dopamine agonist (Medications which act to stimulate nerve cells to release more dopamine). This leads to improvement of body functions in patients with Parkinson’s disease, who have low dopamine levels. Despite its name, apomorphine does not contain morphine. Unlike other dopamine agonist drugs (like Pramipexole, Ropinirole), which are taken as tablets or patches, apomorphine is given by injection or continuous infusion, using a pump. Apomorphine doesn’t help everyone manage their Parkinson’s symptoms, and it may not replace oral medication entirely. It usually suggested for patients who have: 1. Oral medications taking long time to act, 2. Have sudden and unpredictable changes in symptoms, 3. Severe OFF periods, 4. Cannot be considered for surgery for other medical issues / Patient not willing for surgery, 5. Patients who cannot take medications orally It is expected that over next year, the medications should be available across the Indian market, with many from medical community getting trained for the same.