What happened: Kerala High Court allows addition of a breast cancer patient and directs substitution checks
Kerala High Court permitted a breast cancer patient from Malappuram to be added as a party in a petition challenging “exorbitant” pricing of Ribociclib, a life-saving breast cancer medicine. The court allowed the addition because the newly joined patient also has breast cancer and is taking Ribociclib.
Kerala High Court also directed multiple institutions and authorities to check whether Palbociclib, described as a cheaper alternative suggested by pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Company and Novartis AG, can be used instead of Ribociclib.
Background and earlier position: Original petitioner died; petition sought patent-related government directions
The petition was initially filed by another breast cancer patient who had been taking Ribociclib. The original petitioner died while proceedings were pending, but the case continued.
The earlier petition sought directions for the government to take over the medicine’s patent and make Ribociclib available at the lowest possible price. Kerala High Court had also taken up the matter suo motu in the larger public interest.
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