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.