The Kerala government has placed an order for 2,159 bottles of Risdiplam to ensure uninterrupted supply for children suffering from SMA. The procurement is part of the KARE scheme, overseen by K. Muraleedharan.
Key Developments
- Procurement of 2,159 bottles of Risdiplam to maintain continuous supply.
- Shift from the branded version priced at ₹5.5 lakh per bottle to the generic Natsmart by Natco Pharma, reducing cost by over 98%.
- Free provision of the drug to all eligible children under 12 years since 2022, with plans for lifelong supply.
- Complementary services such as physiotherapy, respiratory therapy, rehabilitation, and surgery offered through the SAT Hospital SMA clinic.
- Proposal to collaborate with the Kerala Social Security Mission for broader financial and psychological support.
Important Facts
The branded drug previously cost ₹5.5 lakh per bottle, making treatment unaffordable for many families. The generic version, Natsmart, is priced at roughly ₹11,000, dramatically expanding access. Two children with Type‑2 SMA registered on 6 October 2026 are slated to receive the free drug pending technical committee approval. The government aims to extend the same benefit to a third sibling after routine check‑up.
Exam Relevance
This case illustrates several UPSC‑relevant themes: state‑level health policy design (KARE scheme), drug pricing and generic substitution (Natco Pharma’s role), welfare financing for rare diseases, and inter‑departmental coordination (Health Ministry, Social Security Mission). It also highlights the importance of ensuring continuity of essential medicines, a key concern in public health governance (GS2: Polity, GS3: Economy, GS4: Ethics).
Way Forward
- Maintain a robust supply chain for both branded and generic Risdiplam to avoid stock‑outs.
- Scale up the KARE model to cover other rare diseases, leveraging the existing infrastructure at SAT Hospital.
- Strengthen monitoring mechanisms to assess treatment outcomes and cost‑effectiveness.
- Deepen public‑private partnerships with domestic manufacturers like Natco Pharma to ensure affordable access.
- Integrate psychosocial support through the Kerala Social Security Mission for affected families.