The High Court on Monday asked the Union Health Ministry, Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Jammu and Kashmir government to respond to a plea seeking implementation of a centrally-sponsored scheme, Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana Kendra (PMBJK), in Jammu and Kashmir.
The scheme aims at making quality medicines available at affordable prices for all, particularly the poor and disadvantaged, through exclusive outlets– Jan Aushadhi Medical Stores– so as to reduce out-of-pocket expenses in healthcare. The Public Interest Litigation filed by one Muzaffar Hussain Bhat also seeks directions for setting up PMBJK in J&K. For this purpose, he also seeks directions for reserving space within the government hospitals at all levels.
While the petitioner seeks directions for giving wide publication of the scheme, he also seeks publishing the comparative rate list as provided under the scheme.
After hearing the petitioner through his counsel, a bench of Justice Ali Muhammad Magrey and Justice Tashi Rabstan issued the notice to the Union Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers as also state of J&K through its Principal Secretary Health and Medical Education department.The Court also issued notice to Director Health Services Kashmir and Jammu, Principals GMC Srinagar and Jammu, Medical Superintendents SMHS Hospital and allied hospitals Srinagar, and Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital Jammu.
While states additional advocate general Shah Aamir accepted notice on behalf of state government, Advocate Nazir Ahmad Bhat as standing counsel accepted notice for Union Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
The Court also issued notice to Bureau of Pharma, a Public Sector Undertaking of the Government of India.
