"COVID's Bengal Strain Most Infectious": Plea Filed Before Calcutta HC Seeks Adequate Supply Of Medical Oxygen, Drugs & Proper Medical Health Facilities

The Plea filed by one Joveria Sabbah further seeks the redressal of the shortfall in the supply of the drugs used in the treatment of COVID patients such as Remdesivir, and other necessary drugs.

Averments in the plea

The plea states that a new variant of the virus causing COVID-19 - 'triple mutant variant' (also being referred to as the 'Bengal strain' of COVID19) which is reportedly more infectious than other strains has been detected in West Bengal.

Also, the plea avers that the new beds installed in the various hospitals across the State are not fitted with oxygen and ancillary medical equipment and not suitable for providing competent care to COVID-19 patients across the State.

Further, the plea has stated that the supply of Remdesivir injection and imported drug Tocilizumab is under severe constraint due to sharp increase in demand for the same.

"While the production capacity of the seven licensed manufacturers of Remdesivir in the country has been augmented, the shortage of the drug in the hospitals and the medical facilities of the State is seriously hampering the State's fight against COVID-19," argues the plea.

Negligence of the authorities in regulating the supply led to concerns of an artificial crisis caused by the panic purchase and hoarding by an affluent section of the population, adds the plea.

Importantly, the plea submits that whispers of malpractices in supply chains of essential drugs and medical oxygen abound in the news reports in West Bengal as well, and as such hoarders, marketeers, and illegal sale of the said drugs must be dealt with, given the haplessness of those impacted in these times.

Lastly, the plea submits:

"The emergent needs of the various hospitals in the State of West Bengal for medical oxygen supply as well as adequate stocks of the emergency drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 including Remdesivir must be met in order to avoid casualties suffered on account of discontinuing the supply of Oxygen to seriously ill COVID patients, and other serious patients who require and are dependent on Oxygen for support."

Prayers in the plea (not exhaustive)

• Augment the supply of medical oxygen along with the necessary equipment and make it freely available;
• To take necessary steps to increase the supply of medical oxygen to hospitals and health care centers by reducing the share allotted for industrial use and/ or by enhanced production through the installation of more oxygen generation plants;
• Ensure required infrastructure for the treatment of the COVID patients, who require either facility of COVID care center, hospitalization with oxygen, ventilator, medicines, etc.;
• Ensure sufficient supply of the essential drugs such as Remdesivir, Tocilizumab etc., for the COVID+ patients across the State, in the medical health facilities as well as make them available for those under home care
• stock the medicines/drugs at state hospital pharmacies for procurement of the same by persons in need;
• Ensure effective management of supply and ensure availability by checking the hoarding of drugs and other illegal trade practices, so that they reach health facilities unhindered;
• Formulate a State Action Plan to address the health emergency arising out of the shortfall in the supply of drugs such as Remdesivir and medical oxygen for the treatment of COVID patients in the State and to publish compliance reports accordingly.