Chief Minister Satheesan asked in the Assembly, “What is wrong in selling medicines to poor children at low prices?” He asked whether the opposition's objection is about the huge reduction in the cost of treatment? He said that a 12-day dose of this medicine, which used to cost around Rs 65 lakh, is now available for Rs 15,000.
Chief Minister Health Minister K. Congratulated Muraleedharan and the Health Department for making the medicine available at a very low cost.
The issue has become the cause of political controversy after packets of India-made generic medicine given to children at Thiruvananthapuram's Sree Avittam Thirunal (SAT) Hospital were found labeled 'doctor's sample' and 'for clinical trials only'.
These labels have raised concerns among parents, who fear their children are being given trial drugs. The opposition, which also includes three former health ministers of the CPI(M), has raised questions over the safety of the drug and the procedures followed in its procurement.
The government says the generic drug, manufactured by Hyderabad-based Natco Pharma and sold under the name NatSmart, has expert support and regulatory approval. The Department of Health says the labels in question were on sample stock supplied during the temporary shortage.
Muraleedharan told the Assembly that payment of Rs 50 crore was still outstanding for medicines purchased during the tenure of the previous Pinarayi Vijayan government.
He said the government would continue to supply SMA medicine at low cost and argued that affordable treatment would give more children access to the medicine.
The minister also hit out at the critics, saying that after becoming the minister, he had not made it a habit to appoint his daughter-in-law as a cook.
The controversy has become a major political issue, with the opposition demanding answers about the labeled drug, while the government says supplies of low-cost generic drug will continue.
SMA is a rare genetic disorder that causes gradual muscle weakness. Treatment is expensive, so access to affordable medicines is a major concern for affected families.