Plea to provide AC safe rooms to store medicines in govt hospitals

Madurai: Madras high court on Monday directed the state to file a report on a plea seeking air-conditioned safe rooms for storing medicines in government hospitals.A division bench of Justice R Subramanian and Justice L Victoria Gowri requested the report while hearing a public interest litigation filed by activist A Veronica Mary of Madurai. The petitioner noted that during her visit to the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, she observed that the pharmacy lacked air conditioning, refrigerators for storing critical medicines, and computerized systems. Medicines were improperly arranged on the floor, handled in unhygienic conditions, and stored in a room with poor ventilation and high temperatures.The petitioner claimed that many government hospital pharmacies in the southern and central districts do not comply with the standards outlined in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, leading to a potential decline in the quality of medicines due to improper storage.She had submitted a representation to the authorities, requesting proper facilities for storing medicines, including air-conditioned rooms and modern racks, in accordance with Schedule N and Schedule P of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. This request applied to GRH as well as government medical colleges in Trichy, Thanjavur, and Tirunelveli districts. Since no action has been taken, she moved to court seeking relief. The hearing was adjourned to Oct 28