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Vijayan Demands Action Over SMA Clinical Trial Drugs Given to Children
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News18•20-10-2026, 16:15
Vijayan Demands Action Over SMA Clinical Trial Drugs Given to Children
- •Former Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed shock over experimental SMA clinical trial drugs being given to affected children without parental consent.
- •Reports indicated that medicines distributed through Sree Avittom Thirunal Hospital were marked as Physician Sample and For Clinical Trials Only.
- •Vijayan called it a blatant violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.
- •He criticized State Health Minister K Muraleedharan for showing indifference and handling the issue irresponsibly.
- •The opposition leader claimed the government ignored concerns raised by patients and the Cure SMA association.
Key Questions Answered
Pinarayi Vijayan expressed shock after reports revealed that experimental drugs meant for spinal muscular atrophy clinical trials were distributed to affected children at SAT Hospital without their parents' informed consent, marked as physician samples.
Vijayan stated that distributing clinical trial medications without parental consent violates the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and storage rules, adding that the Health Department cannot avoid responsibility for the situation.
Health Minister K Muraleedharan stated that the medicine distribution followed a circular issued by the previous government and suggested that details be obtained from an expert at SAT Hospital, remarks which Vijayan termed shocking and cruel.
