A welcome judgement

Renowned oncologists in the city welcomed Supreme Court's historical judgment against pharma giant Novartis. They described it is as the best judgment for the welfare of many cancer patients in India, especially poor. They also felt that the judgment reflected India's voice of freedom. The following were some of the reactions: "We welcome the judgment. It is good for patients. As everybody knows the cancer treatment costs so much. Sometimes patients have to continue the medicines for years together. If those medicines get patented and get into the hands of multinational companies like Novartis, it would be simply a death to them. But by proclaiming such a people's friendly judgment Supreme Court saved many lives of poor cancer patients in our country."

Dr Jagadesh Goud, Oncologist, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences. "It is a great and historical judgment. It gives a huge boost-up to the production of generic drugs with high standards and quality in our country. And there is no doubt it is completely people's friendly judgment. It will give a new lease of life not only to our patients but strengthen our democratic system also and this judgment will help to spread generic medicines culture at large."

Prof. Kannan, Director, MNJ Cancer Institute. A "It gives great inspiration to our doctors' fraternity. Doctors are very happy when this judgment is delivered. It is a guide to some more cases which are pending in the courts. Definitely it paves the way for delivering some more peoples friendly judgments. And it stands as a great inspiration to other poor countries also.

Dr. Raghunath Rao, HOD, Oncology dept, NIMS. A "It is a simple judgment. You should not forget India is one of the signatories of the GATT pact. Through its judgment Supreme Court clarified that whether a foreign country or India , no one should try for patents by doing simple changes in the molecules. In fact central government should give subsidies to the molecules used in cancer medicines as it generally gives for petroleum products and other things. If government acts like that definitely the price of cancer medicines will come down and many poor patients get affordable treatments for the cure of cancer"

Dr Mohan Vamsi, Oncology surgeon, Omega hospitals. "Supreme Court treatment is quite applaudindable. The judgment will give boost to generic medicine productions in the country. Meantime it puts a great check of corruption practices at high levels. Any way it is a fillip to national pharma industry also� Dr Saxena, Cancer specialist