Paswan sets dead-line for drug companies to reduce prices

Mumbai, Nov 8 (UNI) Union Chemical and Fertilisers Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said that the drug companies producing certain drugs which are priced prohibitively, should lower prices by November 15, failing which the drugs will be notified and strict action will be taken against these companies.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating IndiaChem 2006 here, Mr Paswan said it is their commitment to provide affordable medicines to the poor and if the pharmaceutical companies do not toe the line, then the government shall exercise other measures in order to force them to conform.

In all, 886 drugs were identified by the government recently which needed cost corrections. However, there was no strict implementation of the same, and pharma companies continued to sell these drugs at prohibitive prices.

UNI JM WD VD RAI1609