Archive · 18 Jul 2026
Supreme Court Addresses Delay in Life-Saving Drug Cases
The Supreme Court of India noticed that there was a long delay in a case about a life-saving drug for breast cancer.
The drug, called Ribociclib, had been listed 57 times in the Kerala High Court but still hadn't been decided.
The Supreme Court decided to take charge of the situation.
They asked the Kerala High Court to quickly decide the case.
The Supreme Court also said that once the Kerala High Court makes a decision, it could be used as a guide for similar cases all over India.
This is important because it could help more people get the medicines they need.
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of delays in cases involving access to life-saving drugs.
The case originated from a pending matter in the Kerala High Court regarding the drug Ribociclib.
The drug is used to treat HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer and had been listed 57 times without a conclusion.
The Supreme Court directed the Kerala High Court to expedite its pending proceedings.
The court suggested that the Kerala High Court's eventual directions could be applied on a pan-India basis.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, Kerala High Court, breast cancer patients
- What
- Delay in cases involving access to life-saving drugs, specifically Ribociclib
- When
- The Supreme Court took cognizance on a recent Friday
- Where
- India
- Why
- To address delays in judicial proceedings that affect access to critical medications
Patient Advocates
Pharmaceutical Companies
Drug Pricing and Accessibility
Patient Advocates
Patient advocates argue that life-saving drugs should be affordable and accessible to all, especially for critical illnesses like cancer.
Pharmaceutical Companies
Pharmaceutical companies may emphasize the need for patent protections and the high costs of drug development and clinical trials.
- Court Involved
- Supreme Court of India
- Drug in Question
- Ribociclib
- Condition Treated
- HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer
- Pending Listings
- 57 times
- Bench Composition
- Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi, and V Mohana
- Case Title
- In Re: Access to Life Saving Medicines and Judicial Expediency in Article 21 Matters
