DEEKSHA DWIVEDI Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The public interest litigation has been instituted by a group of law students of the University of Allahabad who are associated with the activities of the Human Rights Law Network. Seven patients who were being treated in the department of Ophthalmology at Banaras Hindu University were administered an intravitreal dose of Avastin.

(2.) The patients had purchased the injection from a chemist ­ M/s New Amar Pharma, Varanasi. Upon the administration of the injection, the patients are reported to have developed problems of diminished vision and approached the treating Doctor, Professor OPS Maurya on 29 January 2016. The patients complained that there was a loss of vision. On 2 February 2016, the Vice Chancellor constituted a six member committee to inquire into the incident. The committee recorded statements and has concluded that all the seven patients to whom the injection Avastin was administered developed complications of pain, redness and loss of vision.

(3.) The grievance of the patients was that they had been made to approach Doctors outside the S S Hospital by the treating Doctor.