The Himachal Pradesh High Court took suo motu cognisance of the spurious drugs trade flourishing in the state.

The suo motu PIL was registered on the basis of newspaper cuttings dated 23.11.2022 in several newspapers in respect of spurious drugs in Baddi. 

The news items stated that spurious drugs were seized from the premises of Arya Pharma in Baddi of leading brands. It is stated that the seized spurious drugs were manufactured at a unit, which is not a licensed manufacturing premises and illegal business of spurious drugs trade is flourishing day-by-day in Baddi-Barotiwala area of District Solan, Himachal Pradesh. 

It is further stated that the spurious drugs affect the health of the citizens and common man.   

Considering the importance of the issue involved, the Division Bench of Chief Justice A. A. Sayed and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua directed the respondents to file reply-affidavit specifically stating what steps have so far been taken and what steps the respondents propose to take to curb the manufacturing of spurious drugs. 

The Bench further  directed that the affidavit shall be a joint affidavit of Principal Secretary (Health) to the Government of Pradesh and State Drug Controller Baddi, District Solan.