World · India Bureau
Supreme Court flags tenfold drug price hikes as 'massacre' of patients
India's Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over dramatic increases in pharmaceutical prices, questioning where the money goes and who benefits. Justice Mehta raised alarm that such markups create doubts about drug authenticity among patients.
LSN India ·
The Supreme Court of India has issued a sharp rebuke to pharmaceutical pricing practices, questioning a tenfold increase in drug costs and demanding clarity on where the additional revenue flows. Justice Mehta characterised the price inflation as a 'massacre,' expressing deep concern about the sustainability and ethics of current pricing mechanisms in the pharmaceutical sector.
During proceedings, the bench interrogated the Solicitor General on the justification for such steep price escalations. Justice Mehta pointed out the paradox created by extreme pricing: if a compassionate pharmacist were to dispense the same medication at ₹2,700, patients would immediately question whether the drug is authentic or counterfeit.
The observation underscores a growing disconnect between pharmaceutical pricing and public confidence in drug authenticity. The court's intervention suggests mounting judicial scrutiny of industry practices and raises questions about regulatory oversight of drug pricing mechanisms in India.
The Supreme Court's comments reflect broader concerns about pharmaceutical affordability and accessibility in India, where cost remains a significant barrier to treatment for large sections of the population. The bench's pointed questions indicate it may be considering interventions to address pricing disparities in the sector.