Question : List of Essential Diagnostics

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

(a) whether the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has formulated a new list of essential diagnostics on the lines of the essential medicine list;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the aims and objectives behind the move;

(c) whether the list of essential diagnostics formulated by ICMR has to be considered by a committee which is in the process of developing the new national medicine list 2018 and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has fixed the prices for these essential diagnostics and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the other steps taken by the Government to ensure quality diagnosis at all levels of health care facilities across India?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a): Yes. A draft national list of essential diagnostics has been formulated.

(b): The national Essential Diagnostics List (EDL) has been drafted after consultation with policy makers, clinicians, laboratories, functionaries in national health programmes, manufacturers and innovators and the list is now available on ICMR website for comments from public.

Contd..........

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The move is aimed to attain universal healthcare and the list prescribes standard of requirement of minimum distance to a health care facility, equipments, skilled health workers, accessibility to diagnostic tests and also reducing, out-of-pocket expenditure on this account, by promoting Research & Development for new appropriate and effective diagnostics.

(c ) & (d): Yes. The finalized list will be reviewed by an expert group, for its updation and plan for implementation, on the lines of National Essential Medicines List. Prices for these EDL may only be fixed after finalisation and approval of the list.
(e): The other diagnostic initiatives include Indian Public Health Standard and Health & Wellness Centres, to provide an expanded basket of tests at different levels of Public Health System.
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