Nadda hails India's robust drug policy
image for illustrative purpose
New Delhi: Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister J P Nadda on Tuesday said the government is working to make essential medicines available at affordable rates while ensuring the growth of the pharma industry.
Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, the minister asserted the need to create a balance between industry growth and the pricing policy of essential drugs.
"Our drug policy and pricing policy are robust and constant," Nadda said.
On the regulation of prices, the minister said it is a continuous process. "Our aim through the pricing policy is to ensure that medicines are accessible and affordable. Secondly, there should be growth of the industry. There should be innovation and scope for employment creation," he said.
"There is a balance which we have to undertake," the minister said, adding that the government strives to create that balance.
Nadda said the consultations on policy issues are an ongoing and transparent activity which is undertaken by the Department to assess the relevance, impact and efficiency of the existing policy reform required, if any, keeping in view the interest of all stakeholders.
In 2024, he said the Department and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) held consultations with various stakeholders on matters concerning the National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Policy, 2012 (NPPP, 2012) and Drug (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013).
Feedback was received from stakeholders on the operation of the existing policy framework.
