Availability of generic Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) drug sparks debate in Kerala over state's procurement strategy. Since 2021,state's been buying patented Risdiplam from Roche Pharma at ₹1-₹1.25 lakh per bottle — far below market price of ₹5.4 lakh. But now,with Natco Pharma's generic at ₹15,900,there's a cheaper option for treating SMA patients.
Advocacy groups like Cure SMA worry about generic drug's efficacy,urging government to stick with patented version until trials prove generic's worth. Public health experts push back . They argue regulatory approval should guide decisions. Unless there's solid proof generic is inferior,it should be prioritized to broaden access.
Kerala stands out — the only Indian state offering free SMA treatment funded publicly. Other regions struggle to ensure even generic access. A neurologist in capital says generics must show bioequivalence,meaning they deliver active ingredients into bloodstream at same rate as branded ones. He gets families' anxiety but insists generic could boost access.
A senior health official backs this view,noting approved generic Risdiplam is sanctioned by national drug bodies. Generics,he says,are key to making costly meds accessible to all . Government could buy generic SMA drug cheaper,allowing treatment for more patients.
B . Ekbal,public health expert, says Kerala can't afford original molecule's high costs with viable generic available. adult SMA patient over 20 kg needs about 2.5 bottles monthly. One patented bottle's cost covers nearly three months of generic treatment. Ekbal calls for urgent policy review,focusing on patient numbers treated timely,not just drug spending.
While new generics may lack long-term data,Ekbal argues procurement shouldn't hinge on speculation. Continuing to buy a drug nearly eight times pricier than its generic without clear deficiencies isn't justifiable. Measure health program success by how many patients get timely,effective treatment…
