Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister V D Satheesan defended the state govt’s health task force and the decision to replace an expensive imported drug for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) with a cheaper generic alternative, saying the govt was committed to reducing treatment costs and bringing global healthcare innovations to Keralam.Replying to the notice for an adjournment motion moved by opposition MLA K Premkumar in the assembly, Satheesan said the task force was constituted to prepare an evidence-based roadmap for disease prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation and healthy ageing. He rejected allegations that its composition would promote privatisation of public healthcare or help corporate interests.Satheesan said large corporates were taking over private hospitals, diagnostic centres, pathology and radiology services, and pharmacies, contributing to rising treatment costs in Keralam. He said the state had one of the country’s highest out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures, estimated at more than 70%, and that reducing treatment expenses was a key objective of the task force.The CM stressed the need to shift from treating diseases after they develop to early detection and prevention. He cited liver disease as an example, saying early screening could help identify risks and enable timely intervention. Govt’s broader vision included expanding wellness and rehabilitation centres and integrating allopathy, ayurveda and other systems of medicine.Defending the task force’s members, Satheesan cited the expertise of hepatologist Dr Shivakumar Sarin, Dr M V Pillai, entrepreneur Faizal E Kottikollon, Arya Vaidya Pharmacy managing director Devadas Warrier, radiologist Dr Harsh Mahajan and former Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Deepak Singhal, among others. He described them as knowledge partners who would help govt develop healthcare policies. He also denied that Singhal faced a pending vigilance case, saying he had received vigilance clearance in 2019.On the SMA drug controversy, Satheesan said replacing Roche’s imported medicine, Evrysdi, with generic risdiplam manufactured by Hyderabad-based Natco Pharma would substantially reduce treatment costs. He said a medicine costing around Rs 6.5 lakh could be supplied for Rs 15,000, with the govt aiming to bring the price down further to Rs 9,000. The generic drug was approved for procurement after completing the required regulatory procedures, he said.Health minister K Muraleedharan also defended the decision, alleging irregularities in procurement and corruption during the previous LDF govt’s 10-year tenure. He maintained that Natco was the only company participating in the tender because it was the only manufacturer of the generic drug. Govt said the medicine was introduced following expert recommendations, amid concerns among some parents about switching their children’s treatment. On the SMA medicine controversy, the health minister reiterated that govt intended to make treatment increasingly affordable and eventually provide it free of cost.The speaker later rejected the notice for having a discussion on the adjournment motion by suspending the proceedings of the House, with govt maintaining that neither the task force nor the generic drug procurement warranted an urgent discussion.
