Date:30/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/30/stories/2008013054771000.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Court rejects kidney patients’ plea

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday rejected an interlocutory application (IA) by three residents of Bangalore, who had petitioned the court for supply of generic and life-saving drugs.

The petitioners, all kidney transplant patients, and the Kidney Patients Welfare Association, had moved the court against Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) after it stopped supply of a generic drug prescribed by nephrologists to them.

The patientsand the association had appealed against a single judge order of July 1, 2006, rejecting their claim for regular supply of the drug, Sandimmune Neoral.

The petitioners said they are all covered under the (medical) provisions of the ESI Act, wherein they can either avail of treatment at ESI or claim reimbursement from hospitals referred to by the ESIC. The petitioners filed a review petition on November 22, 2006. They filed an IA before the court seeking supply of the drug.