The State’s assurance was recorded by the High Court. It said that the medicine price disclosure circular will not be insisted upon till the next hearing on November 12.
On 31 October, the Karnataka state government told the High Court that it will hold off on implementing a circular mandating that hospitals disclose the procurement prices of medicines in patient bills. The State’s assurance, recorded by the High Court, said that the medicine price disclosure circular will not be insisted upon till the next hearing on November 12, that obligation is not being enforced for now.
According to the circular, the hospitals were to show procurement prices in patient bills. It was supposed to be implemented from the first day of November. Private hospitals have challenged the circular as issued without statutory authority [Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association and Others v. State of Karnataka and Others]. On Friday, the High Court recorded the State’s statement in the following words:
“The Additional Advocate General appearing on behalf of the respondents would submit, on instructions, that the concerned officials are in the process of having a relook at the impugned circular dated 01.10.2026 and the implementation of the impugned circular dated 01.10.2026 will not be insisted upon till the next date of hearing.”
The Additional Advocate General had sought time to examine the matter and asked the Court not to pass an interim order staying the circular, saying he would consult the officials concerned. He explained that the purpose of the circular was only to have hospitals indicate the landing or base price. Justice C.M. Poonacha noted the petitioners’ concern that any failure to comply from November 1 could be treated as a default, and told the State that if it was not going to enforce the circular for some days, that had to come on record. The State then gave the assurance, which the Court recorded in its order.
The assurance was given before Justice C.M. Poonacha by Additional Advocate General B.V. Bhanuprakash. The Court posted the matter to November 12, 2026, when it may consider whether any interim relief is needed.