By Baiju NT [ January 19, 2010 ]
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K.J. Yesudas seeks drug price control

On a writ petition filed by India's legendary playback singer K.J. Yesudas to seek a direction to the Kerala state government to exempt anti-cancer drugs and other life-saving drugs from various taxes and import duties as suggested in the National pharmaceutical policy, a Kerala High Division Bench has issued notice on Monday to the Central government and the Drugs Controller-General of India.

The petition sought a declaration that the Central and State governments had a constitutional duty to provide anti-cancer and other life-saving drugs to patients under the poverty line free of cost. The petitioner contended that no mechanism is in place to fix and regulate the prices of medicines, especially anti-cancer drugs and life-saving drugs. There are no guidelines or criteria for fixing the maximum retail price.