UPSC Articles
Medical devices at affordable prices
Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and IV – Govt schemes and policies; Welfare; Ethics
In news:
- All the medical devices in India are notified as drugs and came under the regulatory regime of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, with effect from April 1.
- Union Health Ministry has identified a list of critical medical equipment and has requested the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to ensure its availability at affordable prices.
Role of NPPA
- NPPA, in exercise of powers conferred under DPCO, 2013, has called for price-related data from manufacturers/importers of critical medical equipments such as Pulse Oximeter and Oxygen Concentrators.
- NPPA to ensure that the prices existing as on 1st April, 2020 should not be increased more than 10% in a year.
- The NPPA told the Industry Associations that it was not “business as usual” and not the time to profiteer.
