The court issues notice to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare directing it to file status report with regard to the findings of the expert committee
Abbott Healthcare and Macleods Pharmaceuticals got interim relief from the Delhi High Court which stayed till March 21 government’s decision banning sale of certain combination medicines of the two companies. Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said why cannot a similar relief, as granted to pharma major Pfizer’s cough syrup ‘Corex’, be extended to these two companies.
“The drugs which are subject matter have been in market for over 20 years. I am of the view that a counter affidavit is required in this petitions. There is no question, why same interim relief be not granted to the present petitioners, like it was given recently.
“List the matter for Monday (March 21). Till then the effect of notification shall remain stayed and no coercive steps shall be taken against the stockist, retailer and the sellers qua the petitioners here,” the court said.
The court also issued notice to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare directing it to file status report with regard to the findings of the expert committee set up by it following which sale of over 300 drug combinations have been banned across India with effect from March 10.
The court’s order came on pleas moved by Abbott Healthcare and Macleods Pharmaceuticals who contended that no show cause notice or hearing was granted prior to the notification.
They alleged that the notification is silent on the aspect as to which expert committee was appointed by Health Ministry to examine the safety and deficiency of the fixed dose combination (FDC).
Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, appearing for the Centre, submitted that the action taken was not against a company or brandcentric.
“The decision was taken by the expert committee,” ASG said, adding that this was done in ‘public interest.’
This prompted the judge to note that the companies have been in market for over 20 years. “Now what has happened that all of a sudden you ban the sale of their drug combinations,” he asked.
The petitions pertain to ban on sale of Abbott’s Tixylix toddler syrup and Phensedyl cough syrup as well as Macleods’ panderm plus ointment.
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