Union Health Ministry Reconstitutes Panel to Determine Compensation for Faulty Hip Implants in India

The Union health ministry has reformed a central panel to assess compensation for those who received defective hip implants from DePuy International Limited, now Johnson and Johnson Private Limited, in India. A public notice from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) announced the committee's reconstitution.

The newly formed central expert committee is led by Dr. Ajay Kumar Shukla, Professor of Orthopaedics at RML Hospital, New Delhi. This committee will determine the compensation amount and medical management for patients affected by faulty ASR hip implants. These implants were originally manufactured by DePuy International Limited, UK, and imported by DePuy Medical Private, Mumbai, now Johnson and Johnson Private Limited.

Compensation Process for Affected Patients

In 2010, a global recall of the product was initiated due to complaints about hip implants worldwide. Patients suffering from disabilities and other losses due to these faulty ASR hip implants can approach either the Central Expert Committee or a state-level committee based on their preference.

For those wishing to contact the Central Expert Committee, they can send an email or a hard copy by post or hand delivery to the Legal Cell at CDSCO HQ, FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi-110002. The email address provided is [email protected].

State-Level Committee Options

Patients who prefer to approach a state-level committee should contact their respective state or Union Territory drugs controller. This official will serve as the member-secretary of the state-level panel. The notice clarifies that patients who have already submitted claims to either the state or Union Territory-level committee or the Central Expert Committee do not need to file new applications.

This initiative aims to ensure that affected individuals receive appropriate compensation and medical care for their suffering due to these defective implants. The reconstitution of this panel highlights the ongoing efforts to address patient grievances effectively.