Synopsis
The application sought direction to the Centre to issue appropriate ad-hoc guidelines, orders or notifications exempting COVID-19 related drugs including but not limited to Remdesivir, Tocilizumab, Favipiravir and other drugs with similar generic constitution, medical equipment including but not limited to Ventilators and Bipap Machines, and other medical treatment.
It said that the 42nd GST Council Meeting was held on October 5, 2020, that is after the use of an antiviral drug named Remdesivir was found to be a part of the uniformly acceptable part of treatment protocol.
A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking GST exemption for Remdesivir, Tocilizumab, Favipiravir and other COVID-19 related drugs with similar generic constitution as well as medical equipment. The intervention application has been filed by an NGO, Public Policy Advocates , in the pending suo motu case by the apex court on distribution of essential supplies and services during pandemic.
Dr. Ambarish Satwik, vascular and endovascular surgeon at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.
‘There is an overwhelming consensus that this is an air-borne infection in addition to being a droplet infection that is spread by coughing or sneezing.’
Dr. Ambarish Satwik, vascular and endovascular surgeon at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi calls for the rationing of resources like blood tests so that severe patents who need results with a quicker turnaround time get their report faster. He also stresses on the importance of wearing a mask at home if there is a person developing a respiratory infection so that it does not spread within those living together.