The industry representatives who are part of the 16 member draft policy review committee constituted by Union Chemicals Ministry have suggested a series of measures to bring down the prices of essential medicines in the country. The industry has also sought a month's transition period to effectively implement the voluntary decision to bring down the price of generic medicines by bringing down the high trade margins. Accepting the industry suggestion, the department of Chemicals has asked the industry to effect the new MRP for generic medicines from November 2.

The industry suggestions include a 5 to 10 per cent decrease in prices of all drugs that figure under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), intensified price monitoring of NLEM drugs and a price freeze on specified medicines.

According to senior ministry officials, the department is to analyse the practicability of the industry offers to be incorporated in the draft pharmaceutical policy. The policy is likely to be finalized by October end.

The final meeting of the committee held here on September 29 also saw the industry association representatives submitting a list of over 1000 drug packs where the prices have been reduced after revision of trade margins. The price reduction is said to be in the range of 30 to 40 per cent. All major companies including Cipla, which is not part of any association, have submitted the list of drugs whose prices have been reduced. Ministry sources informed that Cipla alone gave a list of 49 packs where prices have been reduced from 10 per cent to 50per cent. Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) list included 660 packs. The rest came from members of Indian Drugs Manufacturers Association (IDMA).

The Department of Chemicals is to examine its composite impact and publicize the changes in drug prices through its website soon. The consumer associations who are part of Pharmaceutical Advisory Forum will also be roped in to spread the message of drug price reduction among the general public.

The industry has been given 15 days time to finalise its plans for public private partnerships for free distribution of medicines to Below Poverty Line families. The SSI drug sector represented by Confederation of Indian Pharmaceutical Industries (CIPI) has already offered 0.5 per cent of their turnover worth drugs to be supplied free of cost for the sake of BPL families. Other industry associations are to get back to the department individually by October 15.