Topic: Drug makers

Govt has made sample testing of cough syrups a must before export. Pharmaceutical analysts say this is a good move, but it may not be able to address all issues in drug quality management.

Experts believe hiking prices could be Chinese response to the Modi government’s Profit Linked Incentive scheme, which seeks to achieve self-dependence in API production.

Delhi-based Mankind Pharma & Gujarat's Intas Pharmaceuticals sold a Type 2 diabetes drug without seeking price approval from National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority.

NPPA has been seeking reports from industry bodies on complaints regarding violations of the self-regulatory mechanism meant to discourage pharma malpractices. But it said in reply to an RTI query that this isn't part of its mandate. 

Drugmakers have also requested the government to consider ‘essentiality’ of the drug, and not its ‘turnover’, as the criterion for inclusion under NLEM.

Gilead Sciences plans a global consortium of pharma firms for production. It says decision of partnership will depend on how fast the drug’s supply can be ramped up.

States and union territories have been instructed to ensure production and supply of cardiac and anti-diabetic medicines, including insulin.

Antibiotics azithromycin and ornidazole, anti-inflammatory drug nimesulide and antipyretic drug paracetamol have seen prices surge between 60 and 190%.

There are fears that supply of essential medicines — including for HIV & cancer — may dwindle if supply chains in coronavirus-hit China don’t normalise soon. 

India has one of the lowest drug prices in the world, yet many Indians are deprived of life-saving drugs. Price controls haven't been enough to bridge this gap.