Cancer drug offers hope amid side effects

For nearly a year, 49-year-old Majida MA, a lawyer from Kerala, has relied on a daily medication to keep her breast cancer in check. She begins her mornings with a call from a friend, a reminder to take ribociclib, a targeted therapy drug. This medication, known internationally as Kisqali and sold as Kryxana in India, is now a crucial part of her daily routine.

Majida takes three tablets after breakfast, often working from home due to side effects like itching and mood swings that make office work difficult, especially in the heat. Despite occasional hair loss and skin discoloration, she finds that the drug allows her to feel remarkably like a non-cancer patient, underscoring its effectiveness in managing her condition while maintaining a semblance of normalcy in her life.