Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, Sept 4, 2026 (BSS) - More biologic medicines-Adalimumab and Ustekinumab-have arrived at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH), courtesy of US-based charitable organization Direct Relief.

The consignment arrived at the hospital this morning through the efforts of Professor Dr Azizul Haque Azad of the Department of Medicine.

He told BSS that Adalimumab is used to treat certain types of arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and other diseases. Last month, the medicine showed an excellent response in treating a patient suffering from DADA2, an extremely rare form of vasculitis.

With the arrival of 20 mg Adalimumab injections, RMCH will now be able to treat pediatric patients suffering from refractory juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

"We have received the subcutaneous preparation of Ustekinumab, which can be used for patients with refractory psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis," Professor Azad said.

He said the initial intravenous (IV) dose of Ustekinumab for inflammatory bowel disease cannot be provided as the IV preparation is unavailable, but the hospital will be able to provide maintenance subcutaneous Ustekinumab.

Specialist physicians from across the country can refer patients to RMCH after completing necessary investigations, including IGRA/MT, hepatitis B and C tests and chest X-ray, as well as required vaccinations.

In June, RMCH received medicines worth nearly Tk 28 crore from Direct Relief for free distribution among patients. The medicines are being provided to eligible hospitalized patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and other complex diseases.

Professor Azad is supervising the patient selection process.

RMCH also received medicines worth about Tk 100 crore in March this year and Tk 36 crore in November last year through Professor Azad's initiative. Medicines worth nearly Tk 17 crore for heart patients were also arranged in August last year.

Professor Azad expressed gratitude to the hospital authorities and the Directorate General of Drug Administration for their support in importing the medicines, saying many patients are benefiting from the free treatment.