Big breakthrough in epilepsy treatment: AIIMS New Delhi introduces complimentary Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) testing. This service precisely measures anti-seizure medication levels, helping doctors optimize dosages for better control.
Why does this matter? Epilepsy impacts 1% of Indians, causing unpredictable seizures that disrupt lives. Many fail standard treatments because drug concentrations vary widely between individuals due to metabolism differences.
TDM changes that equation. By analyzing blood samples, clinicians detect if levels are too low (risking breakthroughs) or too high (causing side effects). AIIMS’s free access democratizes this advanced tool.
Program coordinator revealed, ‘We’ve seen immediate improvements—fewer emergency admissions already.’ The OPD-based service processes 50-70 tests daily, with plans to scale up.
Simple process: Visit neurology clinic, get screened, provide sample. No cost, minimal wait. This builds on AIIMS’s legacy of innovation in neurology.
Nationwide implications loom large. Other premier institutes eye replication, potentially covering lakhs of patients. The Health Ministry backs expansion to tackle epilepsy’s ₹10,000 crore annual economic toll.
One beneficiary summed it: ‘It’s like night and day.’ For families battling this silent disorder, AIIMS’s move offers tangible hope and control.