India Today impact: Health Minister JP Nadda promises action against overpricing of drugs

Only days after India Today investigation showed how pharma firms were hand-in-glove with hospitals in fleecing patients, Union Health Minister JP Nadda acknowledged that it was a serious matter and that his Ministry had taken up this issue with the National Pharma Pricing Authority (NPPA).

Nadda said, "This is a very serious matter. The Health Ministry has taken up this issue with the NPPA (National Pharma Pricing Authority). Centre is committed to ensuring medicines are sold at affordable prices. We have reduced rates of stents."

The Health Minister added, "We have started AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) programme where we are offering discount of 90 per cent on MRPs of branded and costly medicines to make them affordable for commoners. Investigation has been asked for. The NPPA will be reviewing whether pharma firms are profiteering."

JP Nadda went on to say, "While R and D is an important component, it does not mean one can quota any price. It is the NPPA's job to check how much has been spent on R and D and what amount on other components. PM Modi has reiterated that his government is committed to making drugs and medical appliances affordable to the common man. Around 700 medicines have been brought under the National List of Essential Medicines to make them affordable."    

When asked whether the government was planning to take immediate steps to reduce pricing of medicines for serious diseases such as cancer just as it cracked down on manufacturers of stents, Nadda said that the government would look into the matter and take action accordingly.