Andhra Pradesh HC Seeks Centre's Response On Supply Of Amphotericin B Injections, Establishment Of PSA Units

Asking the authorities to take rear-guard action as necessary to meet the challenges of covid 19 pandemic, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday sought response of the Centre as to by which date the 15 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Units will be established in the State and also regarding the augmentation of supply of Liposomal amphotericin B injections for treating Black Fungus.

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Arup Kumar Goswami and Justice Ninala Jayasurya also sought State Government's response indicating the developments on all the aspects concerning covid 19 pandemic in the State and also the number of persons in serious condition requiring Liposomal amphotericin B injections and the number of injections available.

"Mr. N. Harinath (ASGI) will file a memo indicating how assertion was made that 15 PSA Units would be established by the first week of June 2021. In the memo, firm commitment shall be indicated as to by which date the aforesaid 15 PSA Units will be established." The Court directed.

Furthermore, it was directed thus:

"In the memo to be filed by Mr. N. Harinath, it shall also be indicated as to the developments that had taken place in the interregnum regarding augmentation of supply of Liposomal amphotericin B injections."

The development came after the Court, on the last date of hearing, sought Central Government's response with regards to its allocation to different States based on the patient load. The Court also requested the State Government to start awareness campaigns highlighting the cause, effect and preventive measures to be taken to tackle Mucormycosis or black fungus disease.

During the course of hearing on Wednesday, it was submitted on behalf of the State that all the elderly people who are residents of old age homes in the entire State of Andhra Pradesh have been vaccinated. Moreover, it was submitted that as regards to the inclusion of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children under Aarogya Sri Scheme, no Government Order has been issued by the State to cover such a disease.

It was also submitted that though the Centre has stated that 15 PSA Units out of the 42 would be established by first week of June, however, only 3 out of the 15 PSA Units were established so far and the rest could not be established as necessary equipments were not provided by the Centre.

According to the Centre, it was submitted that the land for the purpose of establishment of PSA Units has to be provided by the State, hinting that such land may not have been identified by the State Government.

On the aspect of black fungus, it was submitted by the Court that the number of active cases suffering from Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) were 1385 and that there is shortage of Liposomal amphotericin B injections, such injections are given to only those patients who are in serious condition and the patients suffering from lesser intensity are being provided some alternative drug, i.e. Posaconazole.

During the course of hearing, it was submitted on behalf of the amicus curiae that though the present pandemic situation may appear to have been eased a little, however the no complacency should set in and none of the authorities should drop their guard and they should prepare from this time onwards to meet the challenges of the third wave.

In view of this, the Court observed thus:

"We fully endorse his submissions and it is time for all authorities to take stock of the present situation and the possible future scenario in the wake of projections made and to take such rear-guard action as may be necessary to successfully meet the challenges."

The Court will now consider the matter on 24th June.

Click Here To Read Order