During the proceedings of a public interest litigation presented by activist A Veronica Mary from Madurai, a division bench consisting of Justice R Subramanian and Justice L Victoria Gowri solicited a report. The petitioner highlighted deficiencies at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, where she noticed the absence of air conditioning, refrigeration facilities for crucial medicines, and modern computerized systems at the pharmacy. Medications were disorderly placed on the ground, managed in unclean settings, and preserved in a poorly ventilated room with elevated temperatures.
Madurai’s Madras High Court has instructed the state to submit a report regarding a petition requesting air-conditioned secure facilities for storing medications at government hospitals.
During a public interest litigation hearing initiated by activist A Veronica Mary from Madurai, a division bench comprising Justice R Subramanian and Justice L Victoria Gowri urged for a report. The petitioner highlighted deficiencies at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, including the absence of air conditioning, refrigeration facilities for crucial medicines, and modern computerized systems in the pharmacy. She witnessed medicines haphazardly placed on the ground, managed in unhygienic surroundings, and stored in a poorly ventilated room with elevated temperatures.
The petitioner alleged that numerous government hospital pharmacies in the central and southern regions fail to meet the regulations specified in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940. This non-compliance could result in a deterioration of medicine quality as a consequence of inadequate storage practices.
She submitted a formal request to the authorities, asking for adequate storage facilities for medicines, such as air-conditioned rooms and updated racks, as mandated by Schedule N and Schedule P of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. This appeal encompassed both GRH and governmental medical institutions in the districts of Trichy, Thanjavur, and Tirunelveli. As there was no response to her plea, she resorted to legal action to seek redress. The court hearing has been postponed to October 28.
