Ananth Kumar releases Compendium of Ceiling Prices of Essential Medicines 2015

Also launches Pharma Jan Samadhan, online facility to redress consumer complaints on drug pricing and availablity

The Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Ananth Kumar launched ‘Pharma Jan Samadhan’ scheme. It is a web enabled system for redressal of consumers’ grievances relating to pricing and availability of medicines, created by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). Kumar also released Compendium of Ceiling Prices of Essential Medicines 2015 prepared by NPPA.

The ‘Pharma Jan Samadhan’ scheme has put in place a speedy and effective complaint redressal system with respect to availability and pricing of medicines. It is expected to serve as a robust e-governance tool for protection of consumers’ interests through effective implementation of the Drugs (Price Control) Order 2013. ‘Pharma Jan Samadhan’ will provide consumers and others with an on-line facility t, sale of new medicines without prior price approval of NPPA, and refusal of supply for sale of any medicine without good and sufficient reason. NPPA will initiate action on any complaint within 48 hrs of itso redress their complaints relating to over-pricing of medicines, non-availability or shortage of medicines receipt.

Speaking on the occasion, Kumar said that the new initiative shows that the government or NPPA is not only regulator but more of a facilitator. He said that this phama-literacy initiative would create awareness among the people and would act as a deterrence against black-marketing, spurious medicines, and inflated cost of drugs. Kumar said that the pharma industry stands on three pillars- quality, availability and affordability, and ‘Pharma Jan Samadhan’ is a step in this direction. The Minister said that pharma is the sun-rise sector of the country and considering the size, it seems to be a fit case to make a separate Ministry to handle issues relating to pharmaceutical industry. Lauding the NPPA initiatives the Minister said that this would help in making the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Make in India’ a reality.

EH News Bureau – Mumbai