Question : Cheap Medicines

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

(a) the steps taken to ensure the availability of cheap medicines for the people;

(b) whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme to increase the number of free of cost medicines distribution centres for economically poor sections of the society;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which the said scheme is likely to be formulated;

(d) the efforts made to break the nexus of pharmaceutical companies and the doctors; and

(e) whether the Government has decided to open more people’s pharmacy across the country to sell lifesaving drugs at a lower price to poor people and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a): The Drugs Policy as amended from time to time envisages making available quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses. National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals has fixed the ceiling price of drugs placed in the first schedule to the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. In case of non-scheduled formulations, the Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) cannot be increased by more than 10% during the preceding 12 month period.

(b) & (c): Public Health and hospitals being a state subject, the States/UTs also take requisite action to ensure the availability of cheap/free medicines for the people. The Central Government, under the National Health Mission (NHM), provides financial and technical support to the States/UTs for strengthening their healthcare delivery system including support for provision of essential drugs free of cost to those who access public health facilities under the NHM Free Drugs Service Initiative. All the States/UTs have reported that they have notified free drug policy in their respective States/UTs.





(d): The Department of Pharmaceuticals has prepared a Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) which has been implemented by pharmaceutical companies with effect from 01.01.2015.

Further, Medical Council of India (MCI) or the appropriate State Medical Councils have been empowered to take disciplinary action against a doctor for violation of the provisions of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002.

(e): In order to promote the use of cheap generic drugs in the country including in rural areas and with the objective of making available quality generic drugs at affordable prices to all, 2052 Kendras have been started in the country under a countrywide campaign in the name of ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana’ (PMBJP).

Further, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has started AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reasonable Implants for Treatment) stores where essential life saving medicines and implants including stents are being provided at a substantial discount vis-à-vis the Maximum Retail Price.