Experts defend Kerala's free SMA drug distribution rollout

Public health experts and hospital authorities in Kerala defended the distribution of generic Risdiplam for spinal muscular atrophy patients, calling political controversy unwarranted.

Opposition leaders had raised concerns over cartons marked 'physicians' samples/for clinical trials only', but SAT Hospital clarified that only approved generic drugs manufactured by Natco Pharma were distributed.

The generic formulation is priced 97% lower than Roche's patented version, enabling the state government to sustain free treatment for children.