Price rise of 50 percent for carbamazepine, ranitidine, ibuprofen
Recently, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPAA) allowed 50 percent price hike for three scheduled drugs.
The National Drug Pricing Authority (NPAA) has allowed one-time price hike for three drugs under price control, which are used in the first phase of treatment.
These medicines are-
- Ibuprofen (an analgesic), ranitidine (an agonist) and carbamazepine (epileptic).
Reasons for price hike:
- Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) prices have increased due to increase in demand for key drugs used in COVID-19 treatment.
- Slow supply from China.
- Increase in production costs and fluctuating exchange rates.
Other facts:
- In India, the prices of essential medicines are regulated by the central government under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955.
- Its objective is to make medicines affordable and easily accessible to a large section of the people.
- Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) is an order issued by the government under the Essential Commodities Act. The order empowers the government to declare fair prices and regulate the prices and manufacture of essential bulk drugs.
- The Health Ministry has prepared the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM).
- All essential medicines defined under NLEM are treated as prescribed formulation under DPCO.2013.
- NPAA is an independent body of experts under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. It enforces the prices and their availability of medicines under NLEM.
Source – The Hindu
