Lok Sabha Question No. 2238 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-28
Subject: Cheap Medicines
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: JANARDAN MISHRA, SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY, ANWHAR RAAJHAA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2238 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH JULY, 2017

## CHEAP MEDICINES

## 2238. SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA: SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY: SHRI A. ANWHAR RAAJHAA:

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 offree 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 ompanies 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  qualit medicines  at  affordable  prices  to  the  masses.  National  Pharmaceuticals  Pricing  Auth (NPPA) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals has fixed the ceiling price of drugs pl a d 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% durin the preceding 12 month period.
- (b) & (c): Public  Health  and  hospital s  being  a  state  subject,  the  States/UTs  also  take requisite action to ensure the availability of cheap/free medicines for the people. Th Government,  under  the  National  Health  Mission  (NHM),  provides  financial  and  technic support to the States/UT s for strengthening their healthcare delivery system including support provision of essential drugs free of cost to those who access public health facilities NHM Free Drugs Service Initiative. All the States/UTs have reported that they have n otified 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 been empowered to take disciplinary action against a doctor for violation of the provisio Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiq uette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002.

(e): In order to promote the use of cheap generic drugs in the country including in rura and with the objective of making available quality generic drugs at affordable prices to Kendras have been start ed 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  (Affordabl Medicines and Reasonable Implants for Trea tment) stores where essential life saving medicines and implants including stents are being provided at a substantial discount vis - à- vis the Maximum Retail Price.