Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 7: The Centre on Friday informed Parliament that, apart from regulating drug prices, it has expanded access to affordable medicines through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), under which quality generic medicines are sold at prices typically 50 to 80 per cent lower than branded alternatives.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Anupriya Patel said medicines are made available through Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) at significantly reduced prices to improve access to affordable healthcare.

She also highlighted the Department of Health and Family Welfare's AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) initiative, under which medicines for cancer, cardiovascular and other diseases, along with implants, surgical disposables and other consumables, are provided at an average discount of up to 50 per cent compared to market prices.

These medicines are supplied through AMRIT Pharmacy stores established in hospitals and healthcare institutions across the country.

Patel further informed the House that under the Free Drugs Service Initiative of the National Health Mission, medicines included in the Essential Medicines List recommended under the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) are provided free of cost at public health facilities, from Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to district hospitals.

The minister said the manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs in India are regulated under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Rules framed under it.

Licences for the manufacture, sale and distribution of medicines are issued by State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) appointed by the respective state governments.

She said the State Licensing Authorities conduct periodic as well as risk-based inspections of licensed premises to ensure compliance with the law. Action against violators includes suspension or cancellation of licences and prosecution before courts.

Patel also said drug prices are regulated under the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013.

The ceiling prices of scheduled medicines are revised annually based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for the preceding calendar year and are notified by the government on or before April 1 each year.