With the recommendations of Prime Minister's taskforce that is looking into options other than price control to make available essential medicines at affordable cost round the corner, the union ministry of chemicals and fertilizers has intensified its efforts to have in place an effective mechanism to implement the suggestions. The union minister Ram Vilas Paswan has already completed his meetings with the departments concerned and has called for industry interactions on 29th and 30th of this month.

While Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) and Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) have been allotted separate time, the minister would hear all others (Indian Drugs Manufacturers Association, Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association and Confederation of Indian Pharmaceutical Industries (CIPI – ssi)) during a joint session.

The minister is likely to seek industry opinion on the modifications that are to be made in the span of price control of medicines, price control of essential medicines, issue of high trade margins, price negotiation of patented drugs, control of prices of HIV / AIDS and cancer drugs, options for making available low cost drugs meant for public healthcare systems, health insurance schemes and need for increased fiscal and non-fiscal support to enhance drug R&D. According to sources, the task force is likely to recommend that all drugs exceeding Rs 25 crore sales turnover where the market leader enjoys a 50% share to be brought under price control. Similarly, all drugs exceeding Rs 10 crore sales turnover where there is a 90% monopoly to the market leader may also be brought under price control. An additional mark up for the products coming out from Schedule M complied units may also be suggested.

The ministry's attempt would be to have the suggestions accepted as early as possible.