Coronavirus: Delhi HC allows duty-free import of ‘black fungus’ drug till Centre decides on waiver

The Delhi High Court on Thursday ordered that customs departments should clear the import of Amphotericin-B, the drug used to treat mucormycosis or “black fungus”, by accepting a bond from the importer without actual payment of import duty, till the Centre makes a final decision on a waiver, reported Live Law.

A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh also directed the Centre to consider waiving import duty on the medicine while it remains in short supply. “The bond [given] to the effect that duty shall be paid if the same is not waived,” said the High Court, reported The Indian Express.

The order came on a plea filed by advocate Iqra Khalid whose grandfather was in need of the drug for the treatment of the fungus infection. The High Court was considering the shortage of the Amphotericin-B and a possible mechanism for its procurement to treat people infected by black fungus.

“Black fungus” disease is caused by a fungus named mucor, which is found on wet surfaces. The symptoms of the infection include headache, fever, pain under the eyes, nasal or sinus congestion, and partial loss of vision, among others. It mainly affects people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to…

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