A committee Formed for the “structural reform” of the National Drug Pricing Administration (NPPA) is filled with representatives of the industries the Authority is supposed to regulate.Public health activists have pointed out the absurdity and conflict of interest The 14-member committee constituted by the Department of Drugs (DoP) pharmaceutical association‘ Representatives were listed as “special guests.”
The committee was initially set up on March 12 with the core members being Secretary DoP, Chairman NPPA and its senior economic advisor, and two special guests: Secretary General of Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) and Association of Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers CEOs. However, after the DoP received requests from other industry associations to include their representatives in the special guest list, the special guest list was expanded on April 24 to include representatives from industry groups like CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, US-12 and pharmaceutical associations. represent.
not only Industry representatives are part of reforms to the pricing agency, but they will also be involved in drafting the new Drugs and Medical Devices (Control) Order, which seeks to regulate the prices of their products. “The standard practice is for stakeholders to be consulted by a government committee. The committee arranges hearings and various stakeholders attend and provide input. But how can they be part of the committee? It is such a clear conflict of interest,” All India Narcotics Action Malini Isola of AIDAN, an advocacy group dedicated to the rational use of medicines and improving access to medicines, noted.
The NPPA is supposed to regulate the pricing of medicines and ensure their availability and accessibility. The “Drug Price Control Order” is an order to implement price controls, and it is also an order that is about to be completely reformed. These are all in the public interest, but the committee reviewing the work of the DPCO is largely dominated by the pharmaceutical industry, which has been opposed to price controls, although it is estimated that only about 14% of medicines (by value) and 25% (by volume) are subject to price controls.
“Will the reform of the price control system be in the interest of the industry or the public? This is a clear case of industry policy capture. How can the industry decide on the regulation of the industry within a committee?” asked Aishola.
The committee was initially set up on March 12 with the core members being Secretary DoP, Chairman NPPA and its senior economic advisor, and two special guests: Secretary General of Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) and Association of Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers CEOs. However, after the DoP received requests from other industry associations to include their representatives in the special guest list, the special guest list was expanded on April 24 to include representatives from industry groups like CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, US-12 and pharmaceutical associations. represent.
not only Industry representatives are part of reforms to the pricing agency, but they will also be involved in drafting the new Drugs and Medical Devices (Control) Order, which seeks to regulate the prices of their products. “The standard practice is for stakeholders to be consulted by a government committee. The committee arranges hearings and various stakeholders attend and provide input. But how can they be part of the committee? It is such a clear conflict of interest,” All India Narcotics Action Malini Isola of AIDAN, an advocacy group dedicated to the rational use of medicines and improving access to medicines, noted.
The NPPA is supposed to regulate the pricing of medicines and ensure their availability and accessibility. The “Drug Price Control Order” is an order to implement price controls, and it is also an order that is about to be completely reformed. These are all in the public interest, but the committee reviewing the work of the DPCO is largely dominated by the pharmaceutical industry, which has been opposed to price controls, although it is estimated that only about 14% of medicines (by value) and 25% (by volume) are subject to price controls.
“Will the reform of the price control system be in the interest of the industry or the public? This is a clear case of industry policy capture. How can the industry decide on the regulation of the industry within a committee?” asked Aishola.
