(a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the newsitem captioned
“Price hike hits diabetics†appearing in the Hindustan Times dated 19.09.2002;
(b) if so, the details alongwith facts thereof; and
(c) the remedial measures taken by the Government to reduce the price of Insulin?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS ( SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) & (c) : Insulin is a Scheduled bulk drug under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order,1995 (DPCO,1995). Fixation/revision of prices of Scheduled bulk drugs and formulations
based thereon is an ongoing process and is undertaken by the National
Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) in accordance with the provisions of the
DPCO,1995. Insulin is not produced in the country and is required to be imported.
Therefore, its price in the country varies in accordance with its import price. There is
no customs/excise duty on insulin formulations. To make available Insulin to poor
patients at reasonable prices, the NPPA have met with all the manufacturers/importers
of insulin formulations. Some leading companies stated that they have started
supplying insulin formulations at special discounted rates for poor and needy patients
through medical institutions, hospitals and non-profit organisations recommended by
State Governments.