SC says it will rule on plight of patients who can't afford life-saving drugs & judicial expediency in such cases

The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the plight of patients unable to afford life-saving drugs and judicial delay in such cases.

The case stems from the death of a cancer patient awaiting the Kerala High Court's order on a plea questioning the high cost of Ribociclib.

The patient had sought a direction to the Centre to grant a Government Use License under Section 100 of the Patents Act, 1970, for affordable generic versions.

The Centre had declined to invoke its powers, stating no 'national urgency' existed.

The bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana will decide the larger issue of exorbitant patented drug prices.