Life-saving drugs to be cheaper by 80 percent


New Delhi, May 17 (PTI): Prices of 348 medicines, including life saving drugs, will be cheaper soon by up to 80 percent as the new Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) has come into effect.

Industry experts said the implementation of the new drug policy would lead to slashing of prices of many anti-cancer and anti-infective drugs by 50-80 percent.

According to the website of Department of Pharmaceuticals, the government has notified the DPCO, 2013, with effect from May 15, replacing the 1995 order.

The new order will give power to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy (NPPP) 2012 to regulate prices of 348 essential drugs.

The DPCO 1995 regulated prices of only 74 bulk drugs.The NPPP 2012 was approved by the Cabinet on November 22, 2012, and later it was notified on December 7, 2012.

As per the new drugs policy, all strengths and dosages specified in the National List of Essential Medicines, 2011, will be under price control.

According to the approved policy, prices of medicines will now be capped by taking simple average of all brands which have more than 1 percent market share instead of input costs.

The DPCO, 2013, issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, will lay the framework of the drug policy and mechanism of regulating prices.

According to it, the National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority will be the implementation authority for the new policy and the new DPCO.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Dr Kiran VSA, Udupi

    Fri, May 17 2013

    Its a timely step by the Drug Control Authorities. Poor and needy are at a tremendous pressure and cant afford the drugs at the current prices. Generic medicines are a boon and Govt can definitely support.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • CYRIL MASCARENHAS, KIREM/MIRA ROAD/DXB-SHARJAH

    Fri, May 17 2013

    VERY GOOD DECISION.ALONG WITH THIS DIABETIES,PRESSURE,COLESTROL,DENGUE
    ETC.MEDECINES TO BE MADE CHEAPER.THESE MEDICINES ARE USED BY POOR PEOPLE..IT IS EXCELLENT DECISION BY THE GVT..

    DisAgree Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse


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