Govt Includes More Special Invitees Into Committee For Pricing Framework

Designing a sustainable pricing framework for medical devices that fosters industry growth and reduces import dependence

The Health Master

April 24, 2024

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Last Updated on May 3, 2024 by The Health Master

Pricing framework

The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Govt of India has significantly broadened the scope of industry involvement in its recently formed committee tasked with reforming the pricing framework for essential drugs and medical devices in India.

This move comes in response to requests from various industry associations seeking greater representation in the decision-making process.

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Drug & Medical Device Pricing Framework

Initially, the committee comprised three core members from government bodies and just two special invitees representing the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IP Alliance) and the Indian Drugs Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA) for Pricing framework.

However, the DoP has now expanded the committee to include a total of twelve special invitees, each representing a prominent pharmaceutical and medical device industry organization.

“We received requests from various industry associations seeking inclusion in the committee.

In response, we’ve broadened the scope of special invitees to encompass representatives from these key Pharm and MediTech Associations,” explained the DoP.

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List of Newly Included Industry Representatives

The newly added special invitees hail from a diverse range of industry bodies, fostering a well-rounded perspective on the upcoming reforms. Here’s a breakdown of the expanded committee:

Pharmaceutical Industry:

Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI)
Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IP Alliance)
Indian Drugs Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA)
Federation of Pharma Entrepreneurs (FOPE)
Association of Diagnostic Manufacturers of India (ADMI)
Bulk Drugs Manufacturers Association of India (BDMAI)
Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (Assocham)

Medical Device Industry:

Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI)
Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD)
US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF)
US India Business Council (USIBC)
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

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Committee’s Objectives Remain Unchanged

The DoP has emphasized that the core objectives outlined in the initial committee formation order will remain unchanged. The committee’s primary focus areas include:

Institutional reforms required for the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
Striking a balance between drug affordability and availability
Designing a sustainable pricing framework for medical devices that fosters industry growth and reduces import dependence
Establishing a framework for emerging and precision therapies to ensure timely access for patients

The committee is expected to deliver a draft Drugs and Medical Devices (Control) Order outlining a revised pricing framework, aiming to replace the existing Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.

Click for NPPA updated price list

Evolution of Drug Price Control in India

The move to reform the drug pricing framework signifies India’s ongoing efforts to balance affordability with industry growth.

It’s noteworthy that drug price control has been a part of India’s healthcare landscape since 1962, initially introduced under the Drugs (Display of Prices) Order, 1962, in response to rising medicine costs during the Indo-China war.

Over the years, several committees have been constituted to review and refine drug price control policies.

These committees, including the Kelkar Committee (1984), the Pronab Sen Committee (2004), and the Sandhu Committee (2004), have significantly impacted the evolution of India’s drug pricing framework.

The DoP’s latest initiative to expand industry representation in the committee reform process reflects a commitment to fostering a collaborative approach that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders involved in the crucial domain of drug and medical device pricing.

Disclaimer: This article contains information derived from the source mentioned below. Our team utilized an AI language model to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.