Explain the various measures taken by the government of India to regulate the drug prices during the pandemic. (200 Words)
Refer - Economic Survey V-II Chapter 5
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 5 years
KEY POINTS
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which is an independent regulator for pricing of drugs and to ensure availability and accessibility of medicines at affordable prices.
Measures
· It ensured that policy enhances access to life saving drugs like Heparin and Medical Oxygen.
· NPPA has revised upward the ceiling price of Heparin, a Scheduled Drug, included in the covid-19 Treatment Protocol for six months.
· National Disaster Management Act to cap the price of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) and the Oxygen Inhalation (Medicinal gas) for six months.
· NPPA, directed Manufacturers/ Importers/Suppliers of N95 mask to maintain parity in prices for non-government procurements and to make available the same at reasonable prices.
· The government constituted an Inter-Ministerial Empowered Committee to make recommendation for the export of drugs/items requested by foreign
· NPPA coordinated with drug manufacturers of these medicines and created a master database and reporting framework for production and supply of these medicines.
· India is having surplus of Hydroxychloroquine tablets over and above its domestic requirements.
Dev 5 years
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IAS Parliament 5 years
Good attempt. Keep Writing.
