Supreme Court of India’s Ultimatum Regarding Morphine Availability
The Indian Supreme Court today warned the states that their Chief Secretaries would have to appear before it if they failed to comply with its directives to ensure easily availability of “Morphine” preparations for people in pain.
A bench of justices B S Chauhan and Swatanter Kumar granted 3 weeks time to defaulting states to comply with the directive by filing affidavits, failing which it said their Chief Secretaries would have to appear in person.
The apex court passed the order while dealing with a 2007 PIL filed by Indian Association of Palliative Care pleading for access for Morphine to patients in pain in the country.
Reported in the Business Standard:
SC ultimatum to states on pain killer for cancer patients
The Supreme Court today warned the states that their Chief Secretaries would have to appear before it if they failed to comply with its directives to ensure easily availability of “Morphine” preparations, a pain kiler for terminally ill cancer patients.
A bench of justices B S Chauhan and Swatanter Kumar granted 3 weeks time to defaulting states to comply with the directive by filing affidavits, failing which it said their Chief Secretaries would have to appear in person.
The apex court passed the order while dealing with a 2007 PIL filed by an NGO Indian Association of Palliative Care pleading for easy access for Morphine to cancer patients in the country.
Because of its possible misuse by drug addicts, the availability of Morphine preparations is greatly restricted in India and the sale is governed by the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
Thats great news. Congratulations to the IAPC team and Pallium India. This statement by supreme court will make the task easier for people who want to work in their state for morphine licensing. It also inspires people who wish to work in palliative services as after 5 years of hard work and consistent efforts this could be possible. Consistency and commitment pays. So do not stop and keep going. Together we can move mountains.
Congratulations once again.
Dr Aditi Chaturvedi
Trained in MNJ,for CCPPM in july 2012
Associate Prof. in Pharmacology
Vir Chandra Singh Garhwali Govt. Medical and Research Institute
Srikot. Uttarakhand.