Black Fungus Disease : Steps Necessary To Reduce Prices Of Drugs, Increase Production, Says Bombay High Court

Taking note of the alarming rise in the cases of 'Black Fungus' disease(Mucormycosis), the Bombay High Court(Nagpur Bench) has highlighted the need to reduce the prices of the drugs used for its treatment, and to regulate their production and distribution.

A division bench comprising Justices Sunil B Shukre and Avinash G Gharote was told about the high cost of the drugs for 'Black Fungus'. The bench was also informed that the quantity and dosage of the drugs are high.

"In such a situation, it is necessary that some steps are taken by the Government for bringing down the prices of these drugs to affordable level", the bench observed.

The bench requested the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority to look into this aspect and issue directives,if possible, for reducing the prices of these drugs to affordable level.

Further, the bench took note of the issue of short supply of these drugs.

"It is reported that there are about 26 companies located at different places in India which are involved in manufacturing of the drugs used for treatment of Mucormycosis. It would be appropriate if the Central Government regulates the production and distribution of these drugs across India so that there may not be shortage of these drugs in future", the bench observed.

"We, therefore, request National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority and Central Drug Controller to issue necessary directions as regards regulation of production of the drugs, increase of production capacity and distribution of these drugs to different States of India, which would, of course be in relation to the number of caseload of each of the States", the Court noted in the order.

The Court also observed that it was necessary for the State to issue a detailed Standard Operating Procedure for prescription and use of these drugs, considering the fact that many experts have talked about the high toxicities of some of such drugs.

"We accordingly, direct the State Government to consider issuance of a detailed and more specific SOP, if possible, preferably giving the contraindications", it said.

The order was passed in the suo moto case taken by the Court to deal with COVID-19 related issues.

Start awareness campaign

The Court expressed the view that the Division Commissioner,Nagpur and the Divisional Commissioner Amravati,can immediately start awareness campaign to acquaint members of public with the cause, effect and preventive measures to be taken to tackle Mucormycosis or black fungus disease.

It noted that the IMA has already placed on record guidelines to be followed t osafeguard patients from post Covid-19 black fungus disease.

"These guidelines, we direct, be given wide publicity in at least three languages Marathi, Hindi and English. This shall be done by the Divisional Commissioner Nagpur and the Divisional Commissioner, Amravati through Public Information Officer. The Commissioners of Municipal Corporations in Vidarbha Region shall also ensuret hat these guidelines are given wide publicity in Marathi, Hindi and English languages. The Posters of these guidelines be also prepared and be pasted at different places. These guidelines can be circulated on social media, which should also be done", the Court ordered.

Click here to read/download the order