After more than three years since it was drafted to achieve the goal of health for all in the country, the union health ministry has shelved the National Health Bill.

“The government has no plans to introduce National Health Bill. In order to provide relief to the common man in the area of healthcare, a countrywide campaign in the name of “Jan Aushadhi Campaign” has been initiated by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), in collaboration with the state governments,” Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury said.

The government is opening Jan Aushadhi generic stores in the government hospitals for supply of generic medicines through central pharma public sector undertakings, to make available quality generic medicines at affordable prices to all. So far, 149 Jan Aushadhi stores have been opened in different states/UTs in the country as on 28.02.2013, the minister said.

In written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, the minister said that apart from other measures, the government has released a National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy - 2012 (NPPP-2012) to put in place a regulatory framework for pricing of drugs so as to ensure availability of required medicines “essential medicines” at reasonable prices.

Earlier, in order to ensure right to healthcare for all and make things more accountable and transparent in the sector, the health ministry had finalised a working draft of the National Health Bill. The bill sought to provide for protection and fulfillment of rights in relation to health and well-being, health equity and justice, including those related to all the underlying determinants of health as well as health care; and for achieving the goal of health for all; and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

The bill lists the obligations of the central and State governments in healthcare delivery, individual and collective rights, details of monitoring and implementation mechanism, and redressal measures among other things to make healthcare delivery more transparent, accountable and inclusive.