PLEA BEFORE THE RAJASTHAN HC - CHALLENGING DIFFERENTIAL PRICING OF VACCINES FOR THE STATE ANF CENTRE

1st May 2021

Rajasthan HC issued notices to the central, state government and two pharma companies - Serum institute of India and Bharat Biotech on a plea by Journalist Mukesh Sharma challenging differential pricing of vaccines the state and central.

The Petitioner submitted that the serum institute and Bharat Biotech decided that vaccine will be given at Rs 150/- to the central government, but for state governments, it will Rs 400 (now Rs 300) and 600 (now Rs 400) and Rs 600 to 1200 from other organisations.

The plea contended that such an act is a violation of Article 14 and 21 of the constitution. It is absurd and unjustified that manufacturing companies sell vaccines at three different rates in the same country. Differences in price without having a reasonable reason is arbitrary and discriminates between the citizens of India. Moreover, citizens below 18 yrs have to pay a hefty amount for vaccination.

Recently, the government received an enormous amount of money through donations in the pm cares fund, which should provide free vaccines to its citizens. The plea prayed that the decision of the serum institute and Bharat Biotech should be quashed and direct the government of India to fix the price of covishield and coaxin at a rate of Rs 150 per dose. In addition, to disclose the entire mechanism of pricing of dosages of vaccines.

Author: Papiha Ghoshal

Pc - the Hindu