NEW DELHI: A unique argument – if the medicine for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is cheaper in Pakistan and China, why can’t it be similarly priced to help those suffering from this rare disorder – persuaded Supreme Court Friday to seek response from Centre and global pharma giant Roche, the drug manufacturer.
Appearing for Seba, 24, from Kerala, advocate Anand Grover told a bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna, & Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan that Hoffman Roche, which manufactures the patented oral medicine Risdiplam (Evrysdi), is selling the drug cheap in Pakistan and China. “Price of the medicine for SMA patients is available at a cheaper price in Pakistan and China because of intervention of govts of those countries. Why can’t Indian govt negotiate with the manufacturer to bring the price down or produce it as a generic drug to reduce the exorbitant cost of treatment,” he said.
In India a bottle of Risdiplam costs Rs 6.2 lakh, whereas in Pakistan it is Rs 41,000 per bottle and in China Rs 44,692. TOI on Aug 17, 2023, had published a news report about Roche’s rare disease treatment drug costing up to 15 times more in India compared to neighbouring countries. The bench issued notice to Roche to get its response and asked Centre to place its stand on making the drug to treat SMA cheaper in India. Understanding the urgency involved in the case, a quick decision on which will help save many SMA patients from certain death in near future, the bench posted the matter for further hearing next week.
“In India, there may be thousands of families where patients are affected with this disease. Due to lack of infrastructure , the ailment is left undetected,” Grover said, seeking urgent intervention of SC which could save thousands of patients.
