Health secy yet to submit papers on drug prices

The health secretary is yet to submit the drug price control-related papers before the High Court (HC), despite the seven-day deadline to do so expired a week ago, court sources said.
On January 12 last, the HC directed the health secretary to submit the papers and particulars of the Drug Control Committee and the National Drug Advisory Council in respect of the fixation and control of higher prices of drugs.
The HC sought the relevant papers to examine what steps were taken by the committee and council and whether there is any negligence on the part of the authorities in controlling the drug prices.
Following a writ petition, a HC bench also issued a rule asking the government to explain in three weeks as to why its failure to control the increasing prices of drugs would not be declared illegal.
The court also wanted to know as to why the government should not be directed to control the prices of medicines.
"The health secretary didn't submit the particulars till now," Advocate Manzill Murshid, the petitioner, told the FE Sunday noon.
Deputy Attorney General Bishwojit Roy, who represented the government in the HC, told the FE Saturday, "The documents are yet to be placed before the court."
When asked, Mr Roy said that the matter will now come to the cause list for hearing. Then, the HC is likely to pass its order in this connection, he added.
Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), a rights body, filed the petition seeking the court's directives to control the increasing prices of drugs.
HRPB filed the writ following reports published in various national dailies that the drug companies doubled the prices of medicines last year 'illogically', violating relevant laws.
As such many poor people were deprived of treatment due to the increased prices of drugs, Mr Murshid said earlier told the reporters.
He also alleged that the drug companies increased the drug prices without issuing any notice, causing sufferings to the poor people, which is illegal in the eye of law.
The direction and rule were issued by the HC bench comprising Justice Dr Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain.