More drugs to be brought under control: Paswan

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Ram Vilas Paswan said the chemicals ministry would continue efforts to bring all essential drugs under price control irrespective of the fate of the proposed Pharma Policy, which is now under the consideration of a group of ministers (GoM) appointed by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

"We will fight for price control on all essential drugs. The manufacturers had given the ministry an assurance to reduce prices of essential drugs. Only some companies responded to this. The ministry will continue efforts to bring more drugs under price control since we have to abide by the Supreme Court order," Paswan told Business Standard.

In addition to the existing 74 drugs and their formulations, 354 drugs in the National List of Essential Medicines, 2003, has been included in the draft pharmaceutical policy for price control.