NHSO Approves Risdiplam for SMA Patients Under Universal Health Scheme
Thailand’s National Health Security Office board has approved the inclusion of Risdiplam in the essential drugs list, allocating a three‑year budget to give spinal muscular atrophy patients access under the universal health coverage scheme. The decision follows a petition by over 30 SMA patients and parents who urged the government to fund the costly treatment. Benefits will be reviewed every two years.
The NHSO board approved Risdiplam for inclusion in the essential drugs list, allocating a continuous three‑year budget to increase treatment access for spinal muscular atrophy patients, a rare disease group, under the universal health coverage (gold card) system, with benefit reviews set every two years. On October 8, 2025, reporters noted that before the NHSO board meeting, the SMA patient and parent network, led by Assistant Professor Adisorn Buranawong, president of the SMA Thailand parent‑patient group, together with over 30 patients and supporters, submitted a letter to Public Health Minister Padtana Prompandt, who chairs the NHSO board, requesting support for access to Risdiplam under the national health security system or the 30‑baht gold card scheme, because SMA is a rare disease affecting movement and livelihood while the drug is costly. On October 7, Adisorn said the petition had three main points: back the Risdiplam project within the framework considered by the relevant sub‑committee and agencies, allocate sufficient budget, push forward budgetary processes, management and service preparations to be ready for fiscal year 2027 operations, and ensure patients and families have fair access to the drug and can participate in supporting and developing the project in line with medical and public health data. He added that classifying Risdiplam as a gold‑card benefit gives hope to patients and families because treatment access is crucial for mobility, daily activities, and quality of life, and that preparing the service system and budget will help turn the board’s resolution into real patient care. Adisorn also said the effort reflects the NHSO’s role in creating access to necessary treatment, especially for rare disease patients facing high costs, and he hopes the work will continue so patients receive equitable care. Patient representative Natthapakorn Pornleecharoen said SMA causes progressive muscle weakness, affecting movement, daily life, and respiration, especially in children who may face life‑threatening risks, making drug access vital for preserving bodily function and livelihood. However, the drug costs hundreds of thousands of baht per vial, so most patients cannot afford it; currently about 150 people in Thailand have SMA and almost none have received the drug. Therefore, bringing Risdiplam into the gold‑card scheme is a key hope to ease the financial burden and improve treatment access. Natthapakorn added that for patients and families, accessing the drug means the chance to maintain movement and daily functioning; for children, slowing muscle weakness is vital for respiration and survival, and she hopes implementing the NHSO board’s resolution will enable eligible patients to receive treatment and enjoy better quality of life. After the meeting, Minister Padtana announced that the NHSO board had approved Risdiplam for SMA patients as a benefit under the universal health coverage scheme.
