NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea seeking a direction to mandate the medical professionals to specify to patients all possible risks and side effects associated with a drug being prescribed.
“It is not practical,” said a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan.
The court was hearing a plea challenging the Delhi High Court’s May 15 order, which had rejected it.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioner Jacob Vadakkanchery, said the plea raises an important issue as to whether the doctors should be obliged to inform their patients about the possible side effects of medicines they prescribe.
The apex court bench observed a general practitioner may not be able to cater to more than 10-15 patients if this is followed and then there may be cases under the Consumer Protection Act.
“It will help in avoiding consumer protection cases of medical negligence,” said Bhushan.