New national pharmaceutical policy focuses on affordable medicines
A new National Pharmaceutical Policy focusing on the prices and availability of essential drugs has been drafted. The policy also includes measures for the growth of the pharma industry. Price control is one of the tools with the Indian government to maintain some reasonability in the prices of the medicines. Affordable medicines for all assume significance in view of the unique health insurance scheme for the below poverty line families that has been launched on 1st April, 2008. Of the entire expenditure on this scheme, 75 per cent will be borne by the Central Government and 25 per cent by the State Governments. Approximately 1crore 20 lakh people will be benefited annually under this scheme.
Discussing the models and systems being followed elsewhere in the world will help to learn from others experiences to minimize the prices and maximize the availability of drugs.
A seminar will be organized which will provide an opportunity to share the experience with others on the major areas of concern. Speaking on the occasion Dr G S Sandhu, Joint Secretary Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals said, price control is a very important issue for the government in view of the public health requirements of the country.
NPPA has organized the international seminar on pharmaceutical prices and regulatory framework for affordable medicines for the first time to mark completion of ten years of its existence. Seminar is deliberating on various aspects of price regulatory mechanisms affordability of drugs and the international experience in the subject.
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