PIL alleges illegal drug trials in India, SC notice to Centre

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today sought the Centre's response on a PIL seeking inquiry into alleged illegal clinical trials of untested drugs in various states of the country.

A bench of justices R M Lodha and H L Gokhale issued notice to the Centre, Health Ministry and Medical Council of India seeking their replies on the petition.

The court passed the order on a PIL filed by Indore-based NGO Swasthya Adhikar Manch which sought appointment of an expert committee to regulate the clinical trials done by many multinational pharmaceutical companies.

The petitioner-NGO pointed out various cases of illegal drug trials going on in the country and said that such trials must be stopped immediately and requested the apex court's intervention in the matter.

The bench, after hearing the petitioner's arguments, agreed to hear the petition and issued notice in the case.