Health Ministry and J&J likely to meet this week to discuss modalities of compensation to patients

A meeting between senior officials of the Union Health Ministry and executives of Johnson and Johnson, embroiled in a controversy over its "faulty" hip implants, to discuss the modalities of paying compensation to affected patients in India is likely to take place this week.

While sources in the Union Health Ministry said that the pharma giant has sought an appointment, the company when contacted indicated that it has "reached out to the ministry".

The move came after the company in a statement recently said it was seeking to work with the Indian government to develop an appropriate process for providing further support and compensation for patients in need.

An expert panel, constituted earlier by the ministry to probe complaints about "faulty" ASR hip implant devices, in its report, has said the pharma giant "suppressed" facts on the harm of surgeries which was conducted on patients in India using "faulty" hip replacement systems.

It had also suggested that the firm pay compensation of around Rs 20 lakh to the affected patients. Some of the patients who had suffered due to faulty implants had questioned the panel's recommendation of the paltry amount, saying it was like "rubbing salt on the wounds".

A source in the ministry told PTI, "They (firm) have sought an appointment with us. Although the date is not fixed, we will call a meeting this week. We will discuss the process of compensation. We will also hear suggestions given by them (firm)."