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SC Slams "Broad Daylight Dacoity" in Cancer Drug Overpricing, Demands Action
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News18•22-09-2026, 18:30
SC Slams "Broad Daylight Dacoity" in Cancer Drug Overpricing, Demands Action
- •The Supreme Court expressed shock over the overpricing of essential cancer medicines, calling it a "broad daylight dacoity" against patients.
- •Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta highlighted a cancer drug with an MRP of Rs 27,000, despite being supplied to retailers for Rs 2,700.
- •The court questioned the silence of authorities responsible for taking action against such exorbitant pricing.
- •The matter was raised during hearings on petitions concerning drug-related issues, including strict price control over medicines.
- •The Supreme Court has scheduled further hearing on the matter for September 29.
Key Questions Answered
The Supreme Court termed the overpricing of essential cancer medicines a “broad daylight dacoity” and “absolute rampage and carnage” against patients. The bench expressed shock that a drug supplied to retailers for Rs 2,700 was sold with an MRP of Rs 27,000.
The petitions raised issues concerning strict price control under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, to prevent disproportionate profit-making, along with a request for disciplinary action against medical practitioners who fail to prescribe generic medicines.
The Supreme Court previously took suo motu cognisance of a case initiated by a Kerala woman suffering from breast cancer who challenged the exorbitant prices of her treatment before dying during the proceedings.
