India’s public health system must grapple with a number of widespread diseases. This state of affairs necessitates that some essential medicines be price-capped according to a recent report. ‘Medicines in India: Accessibility, Affordability and Quality’, published by the non-profit research organisation Brookings India, describes “price control” as “a double-edged sword.” The report’s co-authors, researchers David […]
price capping
OpEd: A Balanced TMR to Address Healthcares Twin Aspects of Affordability and Quality
One of its fastest-growing sectors, India’s healthcare industry is expected to cross the US$372 billion mark by FY 2022. Increase in private investments since the government allowed cent percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in medical devices is seen as one of the policy decisions strengthening India’s dream of having a niche in quality care delivery. […]
Price capping: Boon or bane to health innovation?
Cardiac stents were arguably the initial focal point of price capping measures initiated by the Centre. While the move was initiated to bring down the cost to the consumer, its actual impact on medical costs and devices’ quality is contentious. The decision to cap the price of cardiac stents was made following the release […]
Stents given to patients when unnecessary?
New technologies have shown that in around thirty percent of patients cardiac stents are entirely unnecessary, according to cardiologist Dr Ramesh Babu Pothineni, the managing director of Ramesh Hospitals Group. Cardiac stents have been a matter of contention in recent years in India, primarily due to them being the focal point over the capping of […]
Price capping devices and drugs: Hospitals express concern
The Delhi government has made price capping proposals in the health sector. The measure has won the support of 85 percent of Delhiites as per a recent poll. However, it has also provoked criticism from hospitals — in particular private institutions — due to the potential for massive reductions in their profit margins. The move […]
India defiant in US dispute over price capping
India has responded to US criticism of the price capping of medical devices with defiance. It is refusing to abstain from continued price regulation. India received a specific mention in the US Special 301 reports from the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE) regarding the price capping. The report identifies India’s National […]
US and India’s relationship souring over price capping?
Just a few months ago the relationship between India and the US was touted by President Donald Trump as having “never been stronger”. Will India’s policy of price capping medical devices sour this relationship? The US Trade Representative (USTR) is reportedly considering revoking the special tariff with India if it continues to implement price caps […]
Drug producers to be required to display manufacturing cost
In a move that is already causing distress amongst pharmaceutical companies, India’s Health Ministry is putting in motion requirements for all drugs to display the manufacturing costs on the label. This would bring not only the costs of manufacture, but the assumed profit margins of the medication into the public domain. The Central Drugs Standard […]
US intervention in price capping
The US seems intent on stopping the Modi administration extending price caps on medical device. The US has outright requested the Indian government to not extend the caps said a US trade official in discussions with Reuters. There has also been a request that, should companies based in the US no longer wish to provide […]