Question : Anti-infectious Drugs and Critical Illness Medicines

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether steep increase in antiinfectious drugs, along with medicines for cardiac diseases, diabetes, gastro-intestinal and respiratory problems indicate rapidly growing lifestyle-related ailments, if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(b) whether the Government would like to make a profile on the basis of such information and make necessary interventions to bring down diseases mentioned above and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether India is spending Rs. 1.4 lakh crores annually on purchase of drugs and medicines, out of which nearly 35 percent is spent on diabetic medicines, heart disorders and chronic ailments; and

(d) if so, the corrective measures taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to address the same?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) to (d): According to ICMR report published in 2017 entitled “India: Health of the Nation’s States”, Non communicable diseases (like cardiac diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases) were responsible for 37.9% deaths in 1990 and 61.8% deaths in 2016 in India. A profile of disease burden in each State is available in the report.

As per National Health Account estimates for the year 2016-17, total expenditure on medicines was Rs.1.98 lakh crores, out of which Rs.5356.93 crores were spent by the Government. Separate data on medicines for diabetes, heart disorders and chronic ailments are not maintained centrally.

Health is a State subject. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments in preventing and controlling diseases and in providing affordable and accessible care. The Government is implementing National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), with interventions upto district level. The programme has focus on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion, awareness generation, early diagnosis, management and referral to appropriate level of institution for treatment. Treatment for NCDs is also available in medical colleges and hospitals run by the Central and State Governments and is one of the focus areas in case of new AIIMS and Government medical college upgradation under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya SurakshaYojana (PMSSY). Some of the other steps taken by the Government are as follows:

I. Government has implemented free drugs and diagnostic initiative as part of National Health Mission(NHM) under which essential medicines are provided free of cost at all public health facilities.

II. Pradhan Mantra Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is being implemented across the country to make quality medicines available at affordable prices for all, particularly the poor and disadvantaged, through exclusive outlets.


III. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PMJAY) is being implemented in coordination with the State Governments providing a coverage of Rs. 5,00,000/- to over more than 10 crore beneficiary families, giving cashless and paperless access to services for the beneficiary at the point of service in (both public and private) empanelled hospitals across India. More than 1350 packages have been finalized by an expert committee.
IV. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Deendayal outlets have been opened at 169 Institutions/Hospitals with an objective to make available Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases drugs and implants at discounted prices to the patients.

V. Under the Umbrella scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) financial assistance provided to families living below threshold poverty line for treatment of life threatening diseases in Government hospitals.