The Supreme Court today sought Centre’s response on a PIL seeking inquiry into alleged illegal clinical trials of untested drugs in various states.

A bench of justices R M Lodha and H L Gokhale issued notice to the Health Ministry and Medical Council of India, seeking their replies on the petition.

The court passed the order on a PIL filed by an NGO, which sought appointment of an expert committee to regulate the clinical trials done by many multi-national pharmaceutical companies.

The petitioner-NGO pointed out various cases of illegal drug trials going on in the country and said that such trials must be stopped immediately and requested the Apex Court's intervention in the matter.

The bench, after hearing the petitioner's arguments, agreed to hear the petition and issued notice in the case.