Pinarayi Vijayan steps up attack against Keralam govt. over SMA drug controversy

The controversy over the distribution of the generic version of the drug Risdiplam, approved for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), at SAT Hospital and the allegations that “drugs for clinical trials” were used on children were kept alive by the Opposition in Keralam on Saturday (October 24, 2026) too.Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan sought to distance the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] from one central criticism that was levelled against the party in the midst of the raging controversy. It had been alleged that the party leaders were batting for the continuation of the branded drug of a multinational pharma company and turning its back on generic drugs, which fulfilled an important public health requirement of making expensive treatment accessible to people.Government’s lapsesIn a statement here, Mr. Vijayan claimed that the controversy had arisen from the lapses of the government and its failure to maintain transparency at all levels. He said the government did not adequately address the concerns of the parents of SMA-afflicted children regarding the “change of medicine” and that his letter, pointing out the issues raised by the parents, were ignored by the Health Minister.He claimed that the Opposition was not against generic medicines and that the CPI(M) had a well-articulated position on the use of generic medicines unlike the Congress party or the United Democratic Front (UDF).Mr. Vijayan alleged that the Health Minister was attempting to divert attention from “the issue” on hand, by portraying the Opposition’s criticism as an attack on generic medicines. The issue on hand being the lapses on the part of the government in maintaining necessary safeguards and procedures in drug purchase.Approval for drugThe Leader of the Opposition claimed that the new government had given approval for the generic SMA drug in 2026 July — in total disregard of the clarification given by SAT Hospital authorities themselves in public that the decision to purchase Natco’s generic drug was finalised in February 2026, during the Left government’s rule. The new government had only taken this decision forward.Yet, Mr. Vijayan seemed to question on Saturday whether the government followed the procedures that needed to be followed when a new drug is bought.He again sought to reiterate the allegation that “clinical trial drugs” were distributed to children, even after many public health experts expressed their concern that perpetuating such ideas would only add to any anxieties or misgivings families might have over the introduction of the generic SMA drugHe demanded that the government explain how “clinical trial drugs” came to be distributed through the government system and why parents were not apprised of the circumstances that led to “clinical trial drugs” being “used” on children.He said that the government has an obligation to disclose all facts of the matter to the public. “Whether knowingly or unknowingly, our young children must not be turned into subjects of experimentation,” Mr. Vijayan said in his statement. Published - October 24, 2026 08:07 pm IST