Great relief for cancer patients: Center reduces prices of 1364 life-saving drugs, will save 3,500 crore rupees annually

BS News Agency: The deadly grip of cancer means that the entire family is about to sit on the path of the patient. Many middle-class and poor families have lost everything while paying lakhs of rupees for treatment and skyrocketing prices of medicines. However, this time the central government has announced a great relief in cancer treatment. The revised retail price (MRP) of 1364 anti-cancer drugs (anti-cancer drug formulations) has been implemented across the country from Monday. The government claims that this groundbreaking step will reduce the cost of buying medicines for patients in one fell swoop and save at least 3,540 crore rupees annually for the countrymen.

Prices reduced by up to 96 percent

According to the information provided by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Union Ministry of Fertilizers and Chemicals, this series of price reductions is quite surprising. Already, the prices of 679 brands of cancer drugs have been reduced by more than 50 percent. In some cases, the reduction in prices has reached 96.45 percent, which is an incredible relief for cancer patients.

As of November 8, 85 leading pharmaceutical companies in the country have submitted revised MRPs for a total of 1,364 formulations of 121 drugs. The new prices have been effective in the market since Monday, November 9. How did the government reduce prices?

In the case of life-saving drugs like cancer, the prices of the drugs increase manifold due to the excess profits or trade margins of the manufacturers and distributors before they reach the hands of the patients. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has put a curb on this profiteering.

 An expert committee formed by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had submitted its recommendations for reducing the prices of cancer drugs on October 17. Following that recommendation, the NPPA has set a maximum limit on the trade margins of 137 cancer drugs. Due to this strict rule of the government, the companies have been forced to revise the prices of the drugs. Strict action if the price is higher

The Union Ministry has strictly stated that no chemist or hospital authority in the country will be able to charge even a single taka more than the revised MRP from the patients. The buyers have been asked to pay the price after seeing the new MRP written on the medicine packet.

In addition, the government has opened several options for the convenience of patients and their families. To check the exact price of the medicine, the common man can use the 'Pharma Sahi Daam' mobile app or can also check the prices by visiting the official website of the NPPA (nppa.gov.in). If a hospital or drug store still charges higher prices, a complaint can be filed directly on the 'Pharma Jan Samadhan' portal. The government notification also clarified that complaints can also be filed by calling the toll-free helpline number 1800-111-255.