Public health experts put the saving from Kerala's switch to Natco's generic risdiplam at about 97 per cent
22 October 2026
Health experts and public health activists have backed the Kerala health department's decision to replace the branded drug used to treat children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy with a low-cost generic alternative made by Natco. Dr B Ekbal, former professor of neurosurgery, said Roche's branded Evrysdi costs around Rs 6.2 lakh per bottle while Natco's generic version is priced at Rs 15,900. Since a bottle typically lasts 12 days, the monthly expenditure on Natco's formulation comes to around Rs 30,000, a price reduction of approximately 97 per cent. Ekbal said Roche had moved the Delhi High Court to restrain commercial distribution of Natco's generic risdiplam, and the court ruled in October 2025 in favour of allowing the generic formulation to be manufactured.
In plain words
SMA Spinal Muscular Atrophy — A rare inherited disorder in which the nerve cells controlling muscles waste away.
Generic drug Generic drug — A copy of an off-patent or licensed medicine sold without the brand name.
Bioequivalence Bioequivalence — Proof that a generic delivers its active ingredient into the blood like the branded drug.