Siddharth Dalmia vs Union Of India

The Supreme Court considered a public interest litigation challenging private hospitals' practice of requiring patients to purchase medicines and devices exclusively from hospital pharmacies at inflated prices. The petitioners argued that this practice leads to exorbitant charges, impacting patients financially. The court examined the rights of patients under Article 21 and the regulatory framework governing medical services, emphasizing the importance of transparency and fair pricing. The court directed authorities to ensure compliance with pricing regulations and to prevent exploitative practices by hospitals.