Federal Govt Directed To Fix COVID Vaccine Price In One Week

The Sindh High Court ordered the federal government to fix the price of the coronavirus vaccine within a week.

A two-judge bench of the apex court comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Amjad Ali Sehto heard Drape’s appeal against the single bench’s decision regarding the distribution of Coronavirus Vaccine (Sputnik V).

During the hearing, DRAP’s lawyer told the court that a restraining order had been issued regarding the cost of the Sputnik V vaccine.

DRAP’s lawyer told the court that it was a matter of public interest and the price was yet to be determined, to which Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar queried that it was a matter of public interest.

The lawyer said that the price should not be paid to the government but it should be collected from the people until the price is fixed the vaccine should not be sold and if the vaccine is sold then nothing will be left.

DRAP’s lawyer told the court that the price of the vaccine had not yet been approved by the cabinet. Petitioner’s lawyer said DRAP wanted to allow the sale to another company to reward his favourites.

“We have an investment of Rs 2.5 crore and they want to sell vaccines at their own cost,” he said.

He said that the federal government had allowed the import of the Coronavirus vaccine, the vaccine could not be sold in the market unless the federal drug inspector signed it and the federal drug inspector has not yet signed the release of the vaccine.

DRAP’s lawyer asked the court to stop the company from selling in the market before the price of the vaccine is determined.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar asked DRAP when the price would be fixed. DRAP’s lawyer replied, “We will fix the price of the vaccine this week.”

“We have been given time to consult with the federal government,” Drap’s lawyer said.

“The government is delaying the pricing. We will sell it to someone else,” the company’s lawyer said.

Justice Amjad Ali Sehto said, “There are six types of vaccines. You can fix the rate and then import whatever you want.”

Later, the Sindh High Court directed the federal government to fix the price of the coronavirus vaccine within a week and disposed of DRAP’s appeal against the single bench order.

The court remarked that it is expected that the single bench will settle all the cases within 10 days, which are important matters and should be decided soon.

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