# PIL in SC seeks national framework against fake medicines 2026-09-16T13:22:41+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets A public interest litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a comprehensive national framework to curb the manufacture and sale of counterfeit and adulterated medicines, including vaccines and cough syrups. The plea, filed by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyaya on Tuesday, names the Union ministries of Health, Law and Justice, and Women and Child Development, all states and union territories, and the Law Commission as parties. The petition seeks directions to the Centre and states to complete investigations into fake medicine cases within three months and trials within one year. It also calls for standard operating procedures for search and seizure, time-bound forensic examination, and mandatory digital recording and videography of investigative proceedings. The plea raises concerns about gaps in enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and cites incidents including alleged fake cancer drugs in Bengaluru and cough syrup-related deaths. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The coverage across Hindustan Times and Deccan Herald is uniform, straight reporting of a court filing. Both outlets lead with the PIL's core demand for a time-bound probe and national framework, and attribute the facts to the petition without adding commentary or sourcing outside the document. The absence of government reaction or independent expert voice means the story is limited to the petitioner's claims. Watch for the Supreme Court's response on whether it will list the matter for hearing. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com (neutral report) Straight report of PIL text, no framing beyond the petition's claims - deccanherald.com (neutral report) Brief wire-style report, no added opinion or external sourcing Tags: Ashwini Upadhyaya, Bengaluru, drugs and cosmetics act, Supreme Court Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/pil-in-sc-seeks-national-framework-against-fake-medicines/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/pil-in-sc-seeks-national-framework-against-fake-medicines/#story-in-brief