In Brief
This case addressed whether Medical Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide, conforming to Indian Pharmacopoeia standards, qualify as 'drugs' under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The Supreme Court held that the definition of 'drug' should be read to include substances used directly for, or as instrumental aids in, the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of diseases. Since both substances are listed in the Indian Pharmacopoeia and serve medicinal purposes—medical oxygen for patient treatment and nitrous oxide as a surgical anesthetic—they fall squarely within the statutory definition. The Court upheld the High Court's finding and dismissed the appeals.
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