Thu Nov 14 23:35:21 IST 2024: ## Karnataka Launches Landmark Program to Provide Free Lifelong Treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
**Bengaluru, November 15, 2024:** Fifty children in Karnataka diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) will receive free lifelong access to the life-saving drug Risdiplam, thanks to a groundbreaking initiative by the Care and Protection of Children Trust (CPCT) and the Karnataka government.
The CPCT has partnered with Roche Pharma India to secure Risdiplam, the only drug approved by the Indian drug regulator for SMA treatment. This collaboration is part of the “Free Medicine Access Programme” (F-Map), which will provide continuous care and treatment at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Bengaluru, where a dedicated Center of Excellence for Rare Diseases has been established.
Children up to 16 years of age are eligible for the program. SMA is a rare genetic disorder that severely weakens muscles and motor function, often leading to life-threatening complications without treatment.
Karnataka’s Health Minister, Mr. Gundu Rao, expressed optimism that the program would provide these children with a fighting chance against this debilitating condition, paving the way for a brighter future.
“We are confident that this disease-modifying therapy, administered orally at home, will offer significant benefits to these children,” said Mr. Lakshmi Kanthan, chairman of the CPCT. “This partnership will serve as a model for other states to adopt this program.”
Dr. Sharanprakash Patil, Minister of Medical Education, Health & Family Welfare, highlighted the program’s unique nature as a first-of-its-kind financial assistance scheme in India.
The F-Map program, funded by corporate social responsibility initiatives, aims to provide comprehensive treatment for rare diseases in Karnataka.
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