Health minister Satya Kumar Yadav said even existing stocks of cancer medicines bearing the old printed prices must be sold at the revised rates. He also ordered continuous monitoring of medicine availability, purchases and pricing, besides intensified inspections at hospitals, pharmacies and distribution centres Vijayawada: Health minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav on Tuesday directed officials concerned to ensure that the benefits of the Centre’s reduction in cancer drug prices reach every patient, warning of strict action against hospitals and pharmacies charging higher prices or creating artificial shortages.The health minister said even existing stocks of cancer medicines bearing the old printed prices must be sold at the revised rates. He also ordered continuous monitoring of medicine availability, purchases and pricing, besides intensified inspections at hospitals, pharmacies and distribution centres.Union govt has reduced prices of 1,364 anti-cancer medicines nationwide with effect from Nov 9. Prices of 671 brands fell by more than 50%, with the maximum reduction in maximum retail price reaching 96.45%.At a review meeting with secretary (medical & health) and DCA director general Arun Babu and senior medical and health department officials Satya Kumar Yadav discussed various measures for implementing the revised prices in the state.Addressing the officials, The minister directed hospitals providing cancer treatment to maintain adequate stocks of prescribed medicines and ensure that at least one company’s product for every medicine was available at the reduced price. He cautioned patients against purchasing medicines in bulk and unnecessarily hoarding them, as this could affect availability for other patients.As part of the implementation measures, hospitals and pharmacies have been instructed to display revised price lists issued by pharmaceutical companies at their medicine counters and on their websites. The department also said there is no need to return medicine packets bearing old printed prices to manufacturers or reprint the revised prices on them. However, the medicines must be sold at whichever is lower between the revised price and the price printed on the packet.On the occasion, the health department directed patients and hospitals to lodge complaints if cancer medicines are unavailable, sold above the revised prices or denied by pharmacies and lodge complaints through the Drug Control department’s WhatsApp number 8632330909, email dca-grams@ap.gov.in or the NPPA toll-free number 1800-111-255.
