GoM to consider Draft Pharma Policy-2006

New Delhi, Mar 9 (UNI) A Group of Ministers will consider the Draft National Pharmaceuticals Policy-2006 which was prepared by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers after extensive discussions with various stakeholders including drug industry associations, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs B K Handique said the draft policy was in line with the declared objective of the Government in the National Common Minimum Programme to make available life saving and essential drugs at reasonable prices to the poor.

In this policy, the schemes for improving accessibility of free medicines to the poor include National Health Insurance Policy for the BPL families, larger allocation to be made for National Illness Assistance Fund/State Illness Assistance Fund, District Illness Assistance Fund to be set up and Revolving Funds for BPL families to be set up.

States will be asked to set up revolving funds in all the government hospitals for free treatment of BPL families and the Rajasthan model of Medicare Relief Societies to be replicated in all the states in the form of Drug Banks.

Some of the pharma companies have expressed their concern about increasing the number of medicines in the basket of price control.

The Draft Policy was submitted before the Cabinet for its approval. The Cabinet considered the policy in its meeting held on January 11 and had referred the matter to a Group of Ministers (GOM) for consideration, Mr Handique added.

UNI