Free Risdiplam for SMA patients will be available in all districts

The government will make Risdiplam drug available for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients through medical colleges in all districts, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan announced.

The Additional Chief Secretary (Health) has been tasked with coordinating the initiative, the minister said in a statement here on Saturday.

Decentralized distribution of Risdiplam will ensure easier access to treatment and continuity of care, while providing relief to patients and their families.

The government is trying to create a new health care model that will address the needs of all families affected by the disease, he said.

Currently, free medicines are distributed only through SMA clinics in Government Medical Colleges, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.

Traveling long distances to obtain the drug is a significant burden and financial burden for parents of children with SMA. Considering these hardships of the families, the government has decided to make medicines available through the pediatric departments of all medical colleges, Mr. Muraleedharan said.

Free medication is currently only available for patients under 12 years of age. The government has also initiated steps to remove the age limit and extend the benefit to all eligible patients irrespective of age, the minister said.

The government intends to develop the decentralized care model being implemented for SMA into a family-centred healthcare system that could eventually benefit patients with other rare diseases and children with chronic conditions, he added.

Published – 07 Nov 2026 21:14 IST