Kidney Transplant

 What was an experimental, risky and very limited treatment option 55 years ago is now a routine clinical practice in more than 80 countries.² Both living-donor and deceased-donor kidney transplants are possible in South Africa.²

Kidney disease is increasing in South Africa and has become one of the leading causes of mortality, accounting for a staggering 1000 deaths per million population.¹ 

Kidney transplantation, rather than regular dialysis, is the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage kidney disease.² This is due to the lower costs and better outcomes associated with transplantation.²

In the last 20 years, the clinical outcomes of kidney transplants have improved as a result of:²

• Better understanding of the benefits of combined immunosuppressant drugs (to prevent rejection of the donor organ)
• Improved organ matching 
• Improved organ preservation
• Improved treatment of opportunistic infections

Poor adherence to post-transplant immunosuppressive medications can, however, negatively impact long-term outcomes in kidney-transplant patients.³ The rate of non-adherence to these medications in this group ranges between 15% and 55%.³ 

Whilst various complex factors play a role in non-adherence with post organ-transplant immunotherapy, cost of the medications is one of the relevant factors.^4,5 The advent of generic medications has helped to reduce this cost.⁴ 

Sandoz and Novartis have over 40 years of experience in transplant care and Sandoz is the #1 provider of generic transplant medications in Europe.⁶ We are proud of our ability to help patients maintain the optimum immunosuppression medication dosing which is so critical to transplant care.⁶