By IANS,
New Delhi: Taking action on an alleged case of unauthorised drug trials on women in Andhra Pradesh, the country’s apex human rights body has deputed a team to investigate the matter.
In a statement Tuesday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it has taken cognisance of media reports alleging that 25 poor women in Guntur in Andhra Pradesh were lured for testing a cancer drug by a Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company.
After taking the drug, six women had to be hospitalised for complications.
“The commission has also come across such media reports wherein it has been alleged that there is no effective law to monitor clinical trials in India. This is one of the reasons that the country has emerged as a hotspot for foreign companies, which unhesitatingly flout all rules and regulations to test their products on Indians,” the statement said.
“The commission has issued notices to the union health secretary, Drug Controller General of India, chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh and district magistrate, Hyderabad calling for their detailed reports within four weeks in the matter,” it said.
The NHRC has also asked its director general (Investigation) to depute a team which should consist of a member from its core group on health to inquire into the matter and submit its report.