IEP Chandigarh, February 21
Punjab government will soon write a letter to the union government to bring the prices of non-scheduled medicines under control, it was decided in the meeting, convened by Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, to stop the fleecing of the public due to the exorbitant rates of medicines.
Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Sandhwan categorically mentioned that drug price fixing is the center government subject and “licensed looting” of patients has been legalized in the current system. Finding an immediate solution to this very sensitive issue of the people’s lives is the need of the hour. The union government should immediately look into this matter and amend the law so that patients’ loot could be stopped at once.
During the meeting, MLAs, health experts, doctors and representatives of various NGOs spoke about the actual rate and MRP of the medicines, showing the difference in prices of up to 90 percent along with evidence.
Speaking on the issue, Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said, the prices of 388 scheduled life-saving drugs are under control, but there is a huge difference in the prices of thousands of non-scheduled medicines, which leads to huge exploitation of the patients. He said that the pharmaceutical research sector is commercially driven and there is no such thing as compassion in it. But, since health is a state subject and a fundamental right of the people, thus the state government will write a letter to the union government within day or two to bring the prices of non-scheduled drugs under control.
The Health Minister said, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government ensuring to regulate medicines in the state in a better way, adding that the about 100 tests are being carried out free of charge in Aam Aadmi Clinics and medicines are also being provided free of cost. He informed that the number of Jan Aushadhi centers in the state will be increased and the testing mechanism of ethical and generic medicines will be further strengthened. He said, exorbitant drug prices or any other violations can be reported on “Pharma Sahi Daam” mobile app or helpline number 1800-180-2412 and such cases would be taken to the logical conclusion. He suggested the MLAs that they should also work in their constituencies on the lines of some NGOs, which are working against the exorbitant prices of medicines.
Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that the pressure on the union government to control the prices of medicines should be put for ensuring the well-being of the people. He said, a law should be enacted to curb the trend being adopted by the pharmaceutical companies to remove their medicines from the scheduled medicines list of the union government by making minor changes in the salt of the drug. It is also the need of the hour to pay attention towards hospitals’ branding trend, which is largely responsible for increasing the prices of medicines, he added.
On pointing out to ensure effectiveness of generic medicines and increase the confidence among the people regarding generic drugs by various experts, Punjab Vidhan Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan asked the health department officials to increase testing for availability of quality and reliable generic drugs. Speaking about the lack of interest among people and doctors towards generic medicines, he also said, “what does not work, is not medicine, rather poison.” He expressed hope that this meeting would help in making the MLAs aware of the matter.
During the meeting, the social worker, who fought legal battle against medicine prices S. Gurpreet Singh Chandbaja urged the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to raise the issue of exorbitant prices with the union government. Dr. Charanjit Singh Paruthi raised the issue of further improve the effectiveness of generic drugs, social worker Engineer Jaskeerat Singh focused on the cost of pre-treatment tests and quality testing.
Dr. Sukhwinder Kumar, Mr. Ashok Kumar Pappi Parashar, Mr. Dinesh Chadha, Dr. Charanjit Singh Channi, Dr. Avjot Singh, Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal, Mr. Jagroop Singh Gill, Dr. Jasbir Singh Sandhu, Dr. Vijay Singla, Mr. Nachhatar Pal (all MLAs), Punjab Health System Corporation Chairman Mr. Raman Bahl, Principal Secretary Health Mr. V.K. Meena, National Health Mission Mission Director Mr. Abhinav Trikha, Baba Farid Health Sciences University Vice Chancellor Dr. Avnish, Dr. Tejinderpal Singh, Cancer Surgeon Dr. Parminder Singh Sandhu, social worker Mr. Gurwinder Sharma also spoke in the meeting.
