Kerala breast cancer patient joins Ribociclib price case after first petitioner dies

A Kerala lawyer diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2024 has been allowed by the Kerala High Court to join a case demanding affordable access to the breast cancer drug Ribociclib. The original petitioner, who started the case in 2022, died while the case was pending, but the court decided to continue proceedings as the issue affects many patients.

The drug, manufactured by Swiss pharma giant Novartis AG, costs around Rs 78,468 per month as cited in court in July 2025. The patient, Majida Abdul Majeed, said the price is far beyond what an ordinary person can afford, and called it a 'life-punishing medicine' due to the financial burden. She has partial insurance and help from friends, but noted many others lack such support.

The case seeks government intervention under Sections 92 and 100 of the Patents Act, 1970, to make the drug affordable. The government argues that Palbociclib, which is off-patent and cheaper, is an alternative. The court has sought opinions from cancer institutes and the Drug Controller General of India on whether the two drugs are interchangeable.