SC expresses concern on illegal drug trials, asks govt to act

The Supreme Court today expressed concern over the alleged ongoing illegal clinical trial of untested drugs in the country and said the government must take corrective measures.

"This is very unfortunate and the government must take corrective steps," said a bench of justices R M Lodha and H L Gokhale.

The bench also refused to implead Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR) for the time being for having its say during the hearing of a plea on the issue and asked it to prove its bonafide.

"People are dying. That is most unfortunate," the bench observed when senior advocate U U Lalit, appearing for the ISCR pleaded that the court should also hear its stand.

The ISCR is an association of clinical research professionals and the society brings together all those who are engaged in clinical research activities in India.

The bench asked the Centre, Medical Council of India to file their response within six weeks and posted the matter for further hearing on July 13.