Explain 'rationale' behind COVID-19 vaccine pricing, action plan for May 1: SC asks Centre
SC, on Tuesday, took into account the different prices of coronavirus vaccines for the central government, state governments, and the private hospitals, asking the Centre the rationale behind such a pricing policy
- Apr 28, 2021,
- Updated Apr 28, 2021 9:44 AM IST
The Supreme Court (SC) has asked the Centre to explain the rationale behind the pricing of the two COVID-19 vaccines -- Covaxin and Covishield. The apex court also demanded clarification regarding the measures put in place to tackle the shortage when the vaccination will be opened to all above 18 years of age from May 1.
The SC, on Tuesday, took into account the different prices of coronavirus vaccines for the central government, state governments, and the private hospitals, asking the Centre the "rationale and basis" behind such a pricing policy.
The top court, hearing a suo motu case pertaining to "distribution of essential supplies and services during a pandemic", also asked the government as to how it was going to meet the sudden increase in demand for vaccines from May 1.
However, it has been selling the vaccine at Rs 150 per dose to the Centre, one of the lawyers said.
Referring to expanding the age group of vaccination, the bench said, "if vaccination is open to above 18 we need to know how you are going to meet the increased surge in demand for vaccines."
The bench also asked the Centre to apprise the top court of the modalities on distribution of oxygen as well as the vaccines to states and the monitoring mechanism.
The bench on April 22 took note of the pandemic situation due to the sudden surge in COVID-19 cases as also in the mortality and said it expected the Centre to come out with a "national plan" to deal with the distribution of essential services and supplies, including oxygen and drugs.
Observing that oxygen to patients infected with the virus is said to be an "essential part" of treatment, the top court had said it seemed that a certain amount of "panic" has been generated due to which people have approached several high courts seeking relief.
(With inputs from PTI.)
The Supreme Court (SC) has asked the Centre to explain the rationale behind the pricing of the two COVID-19 vaccines -- Covaxin and Covishield. The apex court also demanded clarification regarding the measures put in place to tackle the shortage when the vaccination will be opened to all above 18 years of age from May 1.
The SC, on Tuesday, took into account the different prices of coronavirus vaccines for the central government, state governments, and the private hospitals, asking the Centre the "rationale and basis" behind such a pricing policy.
The top court, hearing a suo motu case pertaining to "distribution of essential supplies and services during a pandemic", also asked the government as to how it was going to meet the sudden increase in demand for vaccines from May 1.
However, it has been selling the vaccine at Rs 150 per dose to the Centre, one of the lawyers said.
Referring to expanding the age group of vaccination, the bench said, "if vaccination is open to above 18 we need to know how you are going to meet the increased surge in demand for vaccines."
The bench also asked the Centre to apprise the top court of the modalities on distribution of oxygen as well as the vaccines to states and the monitoring mechanism.
The bench on April 22 took note of the pandemic situation due to the sudden surge in COVID-19 cases as also in the mortality and said it expected the Centre to come out with a "national plan" to deal with the distribution of essential services and supplies, including oxygen and drugs.
Observing that oxygen to patients infected with the virus is said to be an "essential part" of treatment, the top court had said it seemed that a certain amount of "panic" has been generated due to which people have approached several high courts seeking relief.
(With inputs from PTI.)