Guwahati: Assam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has strongly opposed the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority’s (NPPA) recent decision to increase prices on essential medications, calling it a significant blow to public health. The price hike, which impacts drugs used for treating asthma, tuberculosis, bacterial infections, anaemia, thalassemia, and mental health disorders, has sparked widespread concern among healthcare advocates.
In a statement on Twitter, Gogoi expressed his dismay, stating, “The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority’s move to hike prices for conditions like asthma, tuberculosis, bacterial infection, anaemia, thalassemia, and mental health issues is deeply concerning.”
On October 8, the NPPA approved a 50% increase in ceiling prices for eleven essential formulations of eight drugs. The authority defended its decision, claiming that the adjustments were necessary to ensure the continuous availability of these medications amid production challenges.
However, Gogoi refuted this rationale, asserting that the move would ultimately render healthcare unaffordable for many. “Contrary to its claim of doing this in ‘greater public interest,’ in effect, the move will ensure that healthcare is priced well out of reach for the people,” he tweeted.
Among the critical medications affected by the price increase are Benzyl Penicillin injections, Atropine injections, Streptomycin powder, Salbutamol tablets and solutions, Pilocarpine drops, Cefadroxil tablets, Desferrioxamine injections, and Lithium tablets.
Gogoi has urged the government to consider long-term solutions to stabilize drug prices. “There is an urgent need to think of long-term measures to regulate input costs of drug manufacturing instead of transferring the increased price burden on patients,” he emphasized.
This recent price hike follows similar actions taken by the NPPA in 2019 and 2021, further igniting the ongoing debate over balancing drug affordability with ensuring availability in India’s healthcare system. The MP’s remarks have resonated with many who fear the implications of increased medication costs on vulnerable populations across the country.