Kerala chief minister condemns unauthorized use of experimental SMA drugs on children
Pinarayi Vijayan said he was shocked that experimental spinal muscular atrophy medicines were given to children without parental consent and called for strict action.
Former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed outrage over allegations that experimental drugs for spinal muscular atrophy were administered to children without their parents' informed consent. The medicines, reportedly marked as "Physician Sample" and "For Clinical Trials Only," were supplied through Sree Avittom Thirunal Hospital. Vijayan urged a probe and blamed Health Minister K Muraleedharan for neglect, questioning whether seriously ill children were being turned into test subjects.
Muraleedharan defended the action, citing a circular from the previous administration and directing inquiries to Dr Mini, the hospital's specialist. Vijayan labeled the incident "shocking and cruel" and warned it reflects a broader collapse of the state's health system, noting that patient group Cure SMA had opposed the move and that his earlier letter to the government had gone unanswered.
Why it matters
It raises concerns about medical ethics, regulatory compliance, and child safety in Kerala's public health system.
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