Central Government responds to Supreme Court’s queries about Covid management

NEWS

Central Government responds to Supreme Court’s queries about Covid management

By Pallavi Paul

The Central Government filed an affidavit in response to the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order which had sought answers from the Centre on various aspects of Covid management including vaccine pricing, invoking compulsory licensing and others. The Central Government stated that given the surge in Covid cases across the world, there has been a demand for patented medicines and vaccines from all over the world. Therefore, the solution to such a problem needs to be found out diplomatically and at an executive level. The affidavit stated that India has been actively involved through various diplomatic 

NEWS

By Pallavi Paul

channels to find out a solution in the best possible interest of the country. Addressing the response of invoking compulsory licensing with respect to Remdesivir drug which is used to treat Covid patients, the Central Government said there is shortage of raw materials for its production. Remdesivir is a patented drug, for which the patent holder from USA granted voluntary license to only seven Indian manufacturers. However, in case of emergency situations it can invoke Section 92 of the Patents Act to increase the manufacturing of the same. The production of Remdesivir drug has already been increased to 2 lakh vials per day. Further, the Central Government conveyed the Supreme Court that there is little room for judicial interference in the context of a global pandemic.

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