Tue Mar 04 06:39:56 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court Urges Policy to Curb Hospital Exploitation of Patients
**New Delhi, March 4, 2025** – The Supreme Court of India today called on the central and state governments to develop a policy addressing the exploitation of patients and their families by private hospitals. The court noted instances where hospitals compel patients to purchase medicines, implants, and medical devices solely from their affiliated pharmacies or establishments, often at inflated prices.
A bench headed by Justice Surya Kant emphasized the need to address these unreasonable charges. However, the court cautioned against overly harsh regulations that might deter private investment in healthcare and hinder the provision of essential medical services.
The hearing stemmed from a writ petition filed by Siddharth Dalmia, who highlighted his family’s experience with exploitation during treatment at a private hospital. The court’s intervention aims to strike a balance between protecting vulnerable patients and fostering a healthy private healthcare sector.
First Piper 