Rajasthan HC bench comprising Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Vinit Kumar Mathur while dealing with a PIL filed by Advocate Manish Bhuwal regarding violation of Article 21 of the constitution due to the differential pricing policy of Covid vaccines that vary in State, Centre and Private Medical Hospitals, has ordered the Central and State Government to follow “One Nation, One Price” Policy with regard to Covid 19 Vaccine.
Background of the PIL
This PIL (Manish Bhunwal v. Union of India and Ors.) pertained to the variation in the price of COVID vaccine in the State, Centre and Private Hospitals. The PIL highlighted how this difference was a clear violation of Article 21. It was pointed out that Vaccines is the need of the hour and is acting as a life-saving drug which will come under the National list of essential machines which was prepared by the State in the year 2016 to keep an eye on the price of stents that are used for the purpose of angioplasty.
Submissions of the Parties
The plea stated that this scenario led to the violation of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act of 1940 and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy of 2012 as well as the Drug (Price Control) Order, 2013 which primarily dealt with fixing the price of the retail drug and that there was no mention of the difference in pricing policy by State and Centre.
Moreover, the plea also addressed the issue of mismanagement of medical supplies, oxygen beds and hospital-related to covid in the state of Rajasthan.
The Plea demanded the proper supply of oxygen, medical supplies, beds, presence of proper support through railways and special corridors of road, it was also demanded that the Court direct the administration to take action against the black market of medical supplies and requested the formulation of a high-level committee headed by retired High Court Judge to oversee the working of Union and states pertaining to medical supplies.
Order of the Court
The Court in the present PIL issued the notice to Central and State governments directing them to opt for One Nation, One Price Policy with regard to Covid 19 Vaccines.
The Court fixed 24 May as the date for hearing on further issues of the PIL.
Case Details
Case Title: Manish Bhunwal v. union of India and Ors.
Bench: Justice Vinit Kumar Mathur and Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty
Read Order@LatestLaws.com
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