HealthPhoto: The News MinuteKerala Health Leaders Debate Safety of Generic SMA Drug
Three former Kerala health ministers and CPI(M) leaders—Veena George, KK Shailaja, and PK Sreemati—expressed concerns about using the generic SMA drug Natsmart, replacing Roche’s Evrysdi. They allege children with SMA faced clinical trials without proper study. The controversy challenges Kerala’s KARE scheme, which allocates Rs 30 crore annually for free SMA treatment. Public health experts support the affordable generic, while some parents and opposition demand further study.
The News Minute··Thiruvananthapuram




