Over Charging of Life-Saving Drugs by Sellers

New Delhi, 10 Dec 2013 (PIB): The term “Life saving drugs” is not recognized under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and rules made thereunder. However, the Government has published a National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), 2011 containing 348 medicines. The primary purpose of NLEM is to promote rational use of medicines considering the three important aspects i.e. cost, safety and efficacy. NLEM is one of the key instruments in balanced healthcare delivery systems of the country which includes accessible, affordable quality medicines at all the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of healthcare. Pricing of drugs is administered by the Department of Pharmaceutical and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the provisions of the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO). The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules made thereunder administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare do not contain provisions for pricing of drugs. Government in that Department has notified the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy and the Drugs Price Control Order, 2013 to regulate the prices of essential medicines. This was stated by Shri. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Heath and Family Welfare, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.