Lok Sabha Question No. 1011 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-22
Subject: Anti-infectious Drugs and Critical Illness Medicines
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Jayadev Galla

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1011 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 ND NOVEMBER, 2019

## ANTI - INFECTIOUS DRUGS AND CRITICAL ILLNESS MEDICINES

## 1011. SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

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 - re lated 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  chroni respiratory diseases) were responsible for 37.9% deaths in 1990 and 61.8% deaths in 20 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 Governme nt. Separate data on medicines for diabetes, heart disorders and chronic ailmen not maintained centrally.

Health is a State subject. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the Governments in preventing and controlling diseases and in providing affordable and accessible care.  The  Government  is  implementing  National  Programme  for  Prevention  and  Control  o Cancer,  Diabetes,  Cardiovascular  Diseases  and  Stroke  (NPCDCS),  with  interventions  up district  level.  The  programme  has  focus  on  s trengthening  infrastructure,  human  resource development, health promotion, awareness generation, early diagnosis, management and refe to appropriate level of institution for treatment. Treatment for NCDs is also available i colleges and hospit als run by the Central and State Governments and is one of the focus area 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 a follows :

- I. Government  has  implemented  free  drugs  and  diagnostic  initiative  as  part  of  Nati Health Mission(NHM) under which essential medicines are provided free of cost at 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, par the poor and disadvantaged, through exclusive outlets.
- III. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PMJAY) is being implemented in coordin ation 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 benefici at  the  point  of  service  in  (both  public  and  private)  empanelled  ho spitals  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  avail Cancer  and  Cardiovascular  Diseases  drugs  and  implants  at  discounted  prices  to 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 thr tening diseases in Government hospitals.