The Supreme Court has given the government a week to frame a final pharma pricing policy, failing which the apex court may pass an interim order in public interest. A Bench, headed by Justice G S Singhvi, posted the matter for next hearing on October 9.

In an observation, the court today asked the government not to alter the existing pricing system for essential medicines, according to news agency PTI. “We make it clear that the government should not alter the price system as notified on July 13, 1999 and similar subsequent notification,” PTI quoted a Bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi as saying.