Health minister UT Khader
Mangaluru: Health and family welfare minister UT Khader welcomed the Centre’s decision to cap trade margins at 30% for 137 anti-cancer drugs, saying the move, expected to reduce their maximum retail prices (MRPs) by up to 70% from Nov 9, would make cancer treatment more affordable. Khader said an inspection by Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) had found significant disparities between the cost of cancer drugs and their retail prices across 254 pharmaceutical companies. Because of high costs, welcoming the NPPA’s decision, Khader said affordable access to medicines was essential, and patients should not be forced to discontinue treatment.
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He said he had directed FDA officials to examine the price variations and bring them to the attention of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). Life-saving medicines must be available at affordable prices,” he said. Khader said sustained coordination between the Centre and state govts was needed to ensure transparency in drug pricing and reduce the financial burden on patients.
The department subsequently flagged the issue with the Centre and sought corrective measures through the relevant regulatory authorities. The state also submitted details, including the landing costs of medicines and their selling prices, to the central authorities. “Families should not be pushed into selling their assets or taking on heavy debts to pay for treatment. He expressed confidence that the measure would benefit cancer patients in Karnataka and across the country. Download the TOI App.