Stories
Supreme Court Questions Government on Controlling the Entire Medicine Market
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CNBC Awaaz•12-10-2026, 15:23
Supreme Court Questions Government on Controlling the Entire Medicine Market
- •The Supreme Court asked the central government why the entire medicine market should not be controlled.
- •The central government stated in court that it has no intention of controlling the entire medicine market and claimed medicine prices in India are already low.
- •The court questioned why price control should be limited only to cancer drugs instead of including other medicines.
- •The Supreme Court remarked that it is strengthening the hands of the government by suggesting the entire drug market be considered for regulation.
Key Questions Answered
The Supreme Court questioned why the central government should not control the entire medicine market rather than limiting price regulations to specific drugs like cancer treatments, suggesting that the option of comprehensive market control should be seriously considered.
The Supreme Court expressed severe shock and labeled it "extortion" or a "broad daylight dacoity" when reviewing a cancer medication that carries an MRP of ₹27,000 despite being supplied to retailers for just ₹2,700.
During the court hearings, the central government stated that it does not currently intend to control the entire medicine market, arguing that medicine prices in India are already quite low.
