Taking suo motu cognisance of a news report claiming that Uttar Pradesh health officials had placed orders for a banned antibiotic, state human rights commission (SHRC) has issued notices to the chief secretary and some senior officials.

On perusal of the news item in a local English daily published on September 11, it was found that although the union health ministry has issued a notification prohibiting manufacture, sale and distribution of gatifloxacin with immediate effect, the officials of the UP health department have turned a blind eye to it, according to a release issued by the commission quoting its member Justice Vishnu Sahay.

The union health ministry in its notification has said that the drug could involve certain risks to human beings. An international study suggests that gatifloxacin posed 17 times higher risk of developing hyperglycemia or high blood sugar or cause diabetes in some cases.

The said news-item had mentioned that senior officials of the health department in Maharajganj and Hardoi placed order for 1000 vials of gatifloxacin.

Justice Sahay said that he had no reservation in observing that the facts mentioned not only demonstrate that officials of the health department are violating the orders of the Central government but on account of consumption of the aforesaid medicine the fundamental right to life guaranteed to all those consume gatifloxacin is being violated because the said drug is a health hazard.

"This is appropriate case where the Commission should exercise its suo motu jurisdiction," Justice Sahay said.

"Consequently, I direct the office to register a suo motu petition, and to issue notices to chief secretary, government of Uttar Pradesh, principal secretary (Medical & Health), director general (Medical & Health), chief medical officers of Hardoi and Maharajganj to apprise thecCommission by October 11 as to why the aforesaid notification of the Central government is not being given effect to and orders for purchase of gatifloxaacin continues," Sahay said