In SC, Centre told to explain rationale behind COVID-19 vaccine pricing

Supreme Court

Terming the massive resurgence of Coronavirus cases a "national crisis", the Supreme Court on Tuesday said it cannot remain a "mute spectator" and made clear that its suo motu proceeding on devising national policy for COVID-19 management is not meant to supplant high court hearings.

A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said the HCs are in a better position to monitor the situation within their territorial boundaries and the SC was playing a complementary role and its "intervention must be understood in the correct perspective" as there are some matters which transcend the regional boundaries.

There is a need for SC's intervention on certain national issues as there might be matters related to coordination between states, it said. "We are playing complementary role. If HCs have any difficulty in dealing with issues due to territorial limitations, we will help," said the bench, also comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat.

The bench also took note of the submissions of lawyers, including senior advocate Vikas Singh, on differential pricing of vaccines and asked the Centre to apprise it of the "rationale and basis" behind such pricing. On the government's decision to vaccinate all citizens above 18 years, it sought replies from states by Thursday as to how they intend to cope with the surge in vaccine demand and the infrastructure required for it.

It 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.

Sputnik V expected by May end

Dr Reddy's Laboratories, which has received approval from the Indian drug regulator for restricted emergency use of Russia's COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V, said on Tuesday it expects the first lot of stock from Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) by May end. "We expect domestic manufacturing to ramp up from Q2. We are not able to confirm on the first lot size at this time," Dr Reddy's spokesperson told PTI.

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