NEW DELHI: Pricing process for drugs and medical devices may soon see major changes for which govt has formed a committee.
The panel consists of three core members: secretary, department of pharmaceuticals; senior economic advisor, department of pharmaceuticals; and chairman of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). The committee will have two industry representatives: secretary general of Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance; and CEO of Indian Drugs Manufacturers Association.
The terms of reference of the committee, according to documents accessed by TOI, include initiating institutional reforms within NPPA and balance price and availability of essential medicines, while providing incentives to the industry to sustain growth and exports.
The panel has also been tasked with designing a price moderation framework for medical devices and emerging and precision therapies to facilitate their timely reach to the needy patients, the govt order says. It has been asked to submit its report in three months.
“Most medical devices aren’t covered under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). Similarly, precision therapies used in the treatment of diseases such as cancer aren’t covered under any price fixation policy currently. The govt decision to form a committee to explore this option is a welcome move,” a senior doctor said.
The panel consists of three core members: secretary, department of pharmaceuticals; senior economic advisor, department of pharmaceuticals; and chairman of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). The committee will have two industry representatives: secretary general of Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance; and CEO of Indian Drugs Manufacturers Association.
The terms of reference of the committee, according to documents accessed by TOI, include initiating institutional reforms within NPPA and balance price and availability of essential medicines, while providing incentives to the industry to sustain growth and exports.
The panel has also been tasked with designing a price moderation framework for medical devices and emerging and precision therapies to facilitate their timely reach to the needy patients, the govt order says. It has been asked to submit its report in three months.
“Most medical devices aren’t covered under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). Similarly, precision therapies used in the treatment of diseases such as cancer aren’t covered under any price fixation policy currently. The govt decision to form a committee to explore this option is a welcome move,” a senior doctor said.