Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Monday, 26 October 2025, mounted a strong defence in the Kerala Legislative Assembly of the state government's decision to supply an Indian-manufactured, low-cost medicine to children diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), dismissing Opposition criticism and commending the Health Department for making the treatment accessible.

CM's Key Statement on the Assembly Floor

'What is wrong with selling medicines at a lower price to poor children?' Chief Minister Satheesan asked members of the Assembly. He challenged opponents to explain their objection to a price reduction that brought a 12-day course of the medicine — previously costing around ₹6.5 lakh — down to just ₹15,000. The Chief Minister also publicly congratulated Health Minister K. Muraleedharan and the department for securing access to the drug at such a drastically reduced cost.

What Triggered the Controversy

The dispute erupted after packets of an Indian-made generic SMA medicine supplied to children at Sree Avittom Thirunal (SAT) Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram were found to carry labels reading 'Physician Sample' and 'For Clinical Trials Only'. The markings alarmed parents of affected children, who feared their children were being administered medicines intended for trials rather than standard treatment. The concern quickly turned into a political flashpoint, drawing responses from across party lines.

Opposition Demands and Government's Response

The Opposition, including three former Health Ministers from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), raised questions about the safety of the medicine and the procedures followed in its procurement and distribution. The government has maintained that the generic formulation — manufactured by Hyderabad-based Natco Pharma and marketed under the brand name Natsmart — carries both expert backing and regulatory approval. The Health Department has clarified that the controversial 'clinical trial' labels appeared on sample stock that was used to bridge a temporary supply shortage, and were not indicative of the medicine's approval status.

Finance and Political Barbs in the Assembly

Health Minister Muraleedharan informed the Assembly that ₹50 crore in outstanding payments for medicines purchased during the tenure of the previous Pinarayi Vijayan-led government remained unpaid. He reaffirmed that the government would continue distributing the SMA drug at the reduced price, arguing that affordability is essential for more affected children to access care. In a pointed aside, the minister also remarked that he did not have the habit of appointing his daughter-in-law as a cook after assuming office — a remark widely interpreted as a jab at political opponents. This comes amid a broader pattern of health-sector disputes frequently becoming Assembly battlegrounds in Kerala, where public healthcare delivery is closely watched.

About SMA and Why Affordability Matters

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by progressive muscle weakness, often affecting infants and young children. Treatment has historically been prohibitively expensive, placing it beyond the reach of most families. The state government's initiative to procure a low-cost generic alternative has been positioned as a public health intervention for one of the most financially burdened patient groups, even as questions over procurement protocols continue to be debated in the legislature.

With the Assembly debate ongoing, the government is expected to face further scrutiny over procurement transparency and labelling practices, even as it pushes ahead with the affordable SMA medicine programme.