SC junks plea against using HCQ, AZM for treating COVID-19 patients

Stating that judges were no experts in medicine, the Supreme Court today refused to entertain a plea against the use of HCQ and AZM for the treatment of COVID-19 patients on account of their lethal side effects.

New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea against the use of drugs hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin in the treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients, which cited hazardous side effects of the drugs which could lead to loss of life as well.

The apex court bench led by Justice NV Ramana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to provide the material to ICMR so that it could look into it.

Justice Ramana said that presently there was no medicine for COVID-19, and doctors are trying out different ways -- which whether to be continued or not has to be ultimately decided by the doctors. He said that the judges were no experts on the matter.

Dr Kaushal Saha, who appeared for the petitioner, argued that they were not claiming anything on its accuracy, but were just seeking directions so that people take precautions. Patients have the right to be informed about the risks involved so that they can decide for themselves, added Saha.

Justice Ramana asked him to make a representation before the Indian Council of Medical Research so that they can examine the issue.

On April 15, a PIL was filed by an NGO named 'People for better treatment' in the apex court, seeking directions to make immediate changes against the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin (AZM) in treating COVID-19 patients citing risk to the patients' life as the medicines have lethal side effects.

They had contended that it can cause cardio vascular diseases and the patients could die as a result. It had cited various studies done internationally which had given negative reports about the aforesaid medicines.

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