Karnataka HC quashes govt order to shut Jan Aushadhi Kendras

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has set aside the state government order that sought to shut Jan Aushadhi Kendras in state-run hospitals. Justice M Nagaprasanna passed the order in a batch of petitions filed by Janaushadhi Kendra owners, represented by a legal team led by Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya.

The court indicated that a detailed order will be available next week.

In July, the court stayed the government’s decision to shut down Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The Jan Aushadhi Kendras owners had challenged the state government order contending that it was passed without prior consultation or notice.

The petitioners claimed to have made substantial investments in infrastructure, medicine stocks, equipment, staff payments and regulatory compliance. The petitioners stated that their constitutional rights under Article 19(1)(g) and Article 21 are violated.

The state government’s decision to close certain kendras as a policy decision to restrict doctors from directing patients to external medicine facilities. The petitioners however stated that there is inconsistency as similar establishments such as ‘Janata Bazaar’ and ‘Janasanjeevini Stores’ are allowed to continue operations.