"Concern Is Regarding Preventive Steps": P& H HC Seeks Assistance Of States Of Punjab, Haryana, UT Of Chandigarh On Preventing Spread Of Black Fungus

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday sought assistance of States of Punjab, Haryana and UT of Chandigarh on the steps to curb the spread of black fungus after expressing concern regarding preventive steps. 

A division bench comprising of Justice Rajan Gupta and Justice Karamjit Singh also directed that the U.T. of Chandigarh may impress upon the private diagnostic centers to reduced price of HRCT test to Rs. 1800.

On Spread Of Black Fungus

During the course of hearing, amicus curiae Senior Advocate Rupinder Khosla apprised the Court about the recent spread of black fungus in the States. It was thus submitted that steps need to be taken to curb this at the initial stage itself.

On this, counsel appearing for State of Haryana submitted before the Court that Amphotericin B, used for treating the fungus, is available of which 30,000 vials have been ordered by the State from a reputed drug company.

It was also apprised by the State of Haryana that it shall consult the experts whether any preventive measures can be taken for the spread of menace of the black fungus. 

To this, the Court directed thus:

"It is evident that States of Punjab, Haryana and U.T. Chandigarh have placed orders for the supply of drug known as Amphotericin B for the treatment of patient stricken by black fungus. As per the stand of Government of India, five more companies have been licensed to manufacture the drug. At present eleven pharmaceutical companies have been licensed to manufacture the said drug. However, concern of this court is as regards preventive steps, if any, possible. State of Punjab, State of Haryana, U.T. Chandigarh and the Union of India would assist this court on the issue."

On Tele- Consultancy Services for Covid

Amicus Curiae Khosla further submitted that the proposal to put in place a system for teleconsultancy has not so far borne any fruit leaving the citizens in lurch.

Moreover, counsel for UT of Chandigarh apprised the Court that publication made by it whereby Chandigarh has been divided into five zones for the purpose of teleconsultancy. 

On the other hand, Satya Pal Jain ASG submitted that there are presently 5 service providers in the State of Haryana and that the State can be in touch with

the said companies to explore whether telephone numbers of Doctors/Medical experts available in the particular local area can be publicized through these companies.

Furthermore, along with the aforesaid issues, the Court also observed that the issue of over-charging by certain laboratories except those operating as NGO's and for charitable purpose needs to be addressed. 

In view of this, the Court adjourned the matter for further hearing on May 25.

In a similar development, the Delhi High Court yesterday directed the Centre to file status report indicating the present production capacity of the Amphotericin B drug, along with the enhanced production capacity of producers who have been licensed to produce the aforesaid drug. 

Similarly, taking note of the alarming rise in the cases of 'Black Fungus' disease, 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.

Title: Rishi v. State of Haryana & Ors.

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