HIKE IN PRICES OF ESSENTIAL MEDICINES

HIKE IN PRICES OF ESSENTIAL MEDICINES

Context: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has increased the prices of essential medicines such as painkillers, antibiotics, and anti-infectives. Established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, the NPPA is an independent regulatory agency responsible for regulating pharmaceutical drug prices in India.

About: 
• Essential Medicines Definition:
o Essential medicines are medications that address the priority healthcare needs of the majority of the population.
• Country-specific Essential Medicines List:
o The essential medicines list should be tailored to each country, taking into account its disease burden and the commonly used medications across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels.
• Pioneering Country in Essential Medicines List:
o Tanzania became the first country in the world to develop its Essential Medicines List (EML) in 1970.
• National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) in India:
o In India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare formulated the first National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) in 1996. This list has since been periodically revised.
• Drug Price Control Order, 2013:
o The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers issued the Drug Price Control Order, 2013, to establish ceiling prices for medicines listed in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM).