Pune, 5th July 2025: In a proactive step to close a dangerous medical gap, the Medico Legal Society of India has launched a citywide initiative to make the rare but life-saving drug Dantrolene available in Pune. The move comes after two deaths in the past year due to the unavailability of the drug during surgical emergencies triggered by a condition called malignant hyperthermia.
Malignant hyperthermia is a rare genetic condition that can be triggered by anesthesia and causes the body temperature to shoot above 41°C, with muscle rigidity, irregular heartbeat, and rapid deterioration leading to death within hours.
Though Dantrolene can reverse its effects if given in time, the drug is not stocked by most hospitals due to its high cost, dosage limitations, and rare use. As a result, a 14-year-old boy at Poona Hospital and a 42-year-old man at a Shivajinagar hospital lost their lives due to delayed access.
To prevent such incidents, the Medico Legal Society of India has proposed a collaborative funding model involving city hospitals. Each hospital is invited to contribute ₹100 per bed annually or a minimum of ₹1,000. The society will match the ₹3 lakh raised with another ₹3 lakh, creating a ₹6 lakh fund to stock Dantrolene at Gupté Hospital’s pharmacy in Deccan Gymkhana.
The fund will also support a 24/7 emergency helpline, secure long-term storage, and rapid delivery of the drug within 30 to 60 minutes of request. Hospitals can also borrow the drug on a weekly basis and return unused doses, reducing wastage and cost barriers.
Dr. Rajiv Joshi, founder-president of the Medico Legal Society of India, emphasized the urgency of participation, calling on all Pune hospitals to join the initiative before August 15. Forms are available on the society’s website. “This is a matter of preparedness, not probability. A single vial at the right time can save a life,” he said.