Reduction in Prices of Medicines has resulted in Savings of Rs 5,117 Crore

The National List of Essential Medicines 2015 (NLEM) prepared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been included in the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO 2013) as Revised Schedule – I replacing the Original Schedule – I on 10.03.2016. The Revised Schedule – I contains 376 medicines covering net 814 formulations/packs. The Government has so far fixed the ceiling prices of 540 formulations under Revised Schedule –I of DPCO 2013. The percentage wise reduction in the ceiling price with respect to the highest price is tabulated as follows:

Further, the NLEM and hence Schedule I of DPCO 2013 do not define lifesaving medicines separately.

The fixation of ceiling prices/MRP has resulted in a total saving of Rs. 5117.74 crores to the public after implementation of DPCO, 2013.

Public Health being a State subject the primary responsibility to ensure the availability of medicines is that of respective State/UT Governments. Under National Health Mission (NHM) support is being provided to States/UTs for strengthening of their healthcare facilities including support for NHM Free Drugs Service for provision of essential medicines free of cost in public health facilities based on the Programme Implementation Plans submitted by the States/UTs.