ISHWAR SINGH BINDRA & ORS. vs THE STATE OF U.P.

The Supreme Court held that under Section 3(b)(i) of the Drugs Act, 1940, the definition of 'drug' excludes only those medicines and substances that are exclusively used or prepared for use in accordance with Ayurvedic or Unani systems. The Court clarified that the term 'substances' in the definition is distinct from 'medicines' and that the word 'and' should be interpreted disjunctively. The appeal was dismissed, affirming the High Court's view that the determination of whether the plaster in question falls within the exception requires expert evidence.