False Reports on Increase in Prices of Drugs

The Minister for Chemicals & Fertilisers Shri Ananth Kumar has said that there have been unsubstantiated allegations and reports relating to rise in prices of some essential drugs in the recent past. In reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, he said certain political leaders, contrary to the fact, had alleged that prices of some drugs have risen. The minister pointed out that they were alleging that price of a drug package (Imatinib) had increased from 8500 Rupees to over one lakh eight thousand rupees while its actual price always continued to be over 8,400 Rupees. He said the order issued in July reducing the prices of 108 drugs, which includes essential medicines for diabetes and cardio vascular diseases, continues to be valid. Withdrawing an internal guideline in relation to para 19 of DPCO 2013 does not affect these prices, the Minister said.