Haemophilia Drug Shortage: J&K&L High Court Directs GMC Srinagar To Immediately Address Deficiency Of Factor-VIII & Emicizumab
LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK
22 July 2026 5:15 PM IST
The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the Principal of Government Medical College, Srinagar, to immediately address the acute deficiency of Factor-VIII and Emicizumab, noting that about 300 patients suffering from Hemophilia are being adversely affected.
The Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Hemophilia Society of Kashmir concerning the shortage of essential medicines for the treatment of Hemophilia. The matter came up before the Court following the filing of an additional affidavit in compliance with an earlier order.
A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani, while observing that the deficiency must be addressed so that "no patient suffers for want of Factor-VIII and Emicizumab", also directed that any requisition made by the Principal shall be responded to forthwith by the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited or any other authority responsible for procurement and supply.
The present proceedings arise from a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Hemophilia Society of Kashmir, raising concerns regarding the availability of essential medicines for the treatment of Hemophilia patients in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
On 8th April, 2026, the Court had passed an order directing the filing of an additional affidavit in the matter. In compliance with the said order, an additional affidavit was filed before the Court.
During the hearing, the petitioner, through Senior Counsel T.H. Khawaja, brought to the Court's attention that there exists an acute shortage of "Factor-VIII and Emicizumab" at the Government Medical College, Srinagar. It was submitted that this shortage has resulted in about 300 patients suffering from Hemophilia being adversely affected.
The High Court took cognizance of the acute shortage of essential medicines and directed immediate remedial action. The Court noted that the deficiency must be addressed without delay to ensure that patients do not suffer for want of the required medicines.
The Court observed,
"Let the Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar, ensure that the aforesaid deficiency is immediately addressed so that no patient suffers for want of Factor-VIII and Emicizumab".
The Court further directed that any requisition for the medicines made by the Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar, shall be responded to forthwith by the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited or any other authority responsible for the procurement and supply thereof.
"Needless to observe that, in the event any requisition for the aforesaid medicines has been made by the Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar, the same shall be responded to forthwith by the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited or any other authority responsible for the procurement and supply thereof, without any avoidable delay.", the Court remarked.
The Bench also directed the Principal to file an affidavit with regard to the steps taken in compliance with the order within a period of two weeks. The matter was listed for further hearing on 10th August, 2026.
Case Title: Hemophilia Society of Kashmir Th Its President v. Union Territory of J&K and Ors.
