The Supreme Court has put on hold a previous directive requiring the Central Government to procure expensive medication for a patient battling Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness.
In a significant ruling on February 24, 2025, a bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar issued a stay on the order, deferring the matter until the week of April 17, 2025.
This decision comes amid growing debates over the exorbitant cost of SMA treatments in India. Advocacy groups have been pressing the government to ensure life-saving medications are more accessible and affordable.
The Supreme Court’s intervention underscores the legal and policy complexities in funding treatments for rare diseases, raising critical questions about the government’s role in healthcare accessibility.
