IUML MP: Clear production of generic medicine for spinal disease

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) member in Rajya Sabha Haris Beeran Friday sought urgent intervention of the Union Health Ministry to allow production of generic medicines for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder that affects the nerve cells in the spinal cord.

Raising the issue, Beeran, an MP from Kerala, said that as per estimated statistics, almost 8,000 to 25,000 people get affected by SMA every year in India and there are treatments to manage SMA but there is no cure. He said the cost of the medicine currently available is too high for a common man.

As per experts, Beeran said, if generic medicine is produced, this medicine which costs Rs 6.2 lakh for one bottle, can be produced for Rs 3,063.