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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | After price control, several key drugs in short supply -Durgesh Nandan Jha & Sushmi Dey

After price control, several key drugs in short supply -Durgesh Nandan Jha & Sushmi Dey

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published Published on Dec 13, 2014   modified Modified on Dec 13, 2014
-The Times of India

NEW DELHI: The government's price control measure for essential medicines has had an unexpected fallout - several of these drugs, including those for treatment of chronic ailments such as high uric acid levels, diabetes and acne, are either in short supply or have gone missing from chemist shops.

Among the drugs facing shortage are Zyloric (prescribed for uric acid control), Ocid (acidity), CCM (calcium supplement) and Etroxin (a thyroid medicine) among others. Albumin, a lifesaving protein, has been in short supply for nearly four months now.

Druggists claim the pharmaceutical companies have reduced the production of these vital drugs because their profit margins have gone down - a charge denied by manufacturers. Kailash Gupta, head of a federation of chemists, said while controlling the price of essential medicines the government should also ensure their regular supply.

Kailash Gupta, president of All India Chemists and Distributor's Federation, said several vital medicines went into short supply right after their prices were controlled by the government.

"Ten capsules of Zyloric used to cost Rs 37.40. But after price control measures announced by the government, it now costs Rs 23.30. Similarly, the MRP of Eltroxin (25mg) went down from Rs 76 to Rs 69. Ocid's price was cut by nearly Rs 30 for a sachet containing 15 tablets," said Gupta.

"We get many patients who are suffering from chronic ailments and dependent on some of these medicines. They are desperate to get these medicines," he said.

According to Dr Anoop Misra, chairman, Fortis-CDOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases, and Endocrinology, Zyloric is one of the standard drugs prescribed to kidney patients, those suffering from gout and even diabetics to control uric acid. "The substitutes available in the market for this medicine are costlier," he said.

Dr Sujeet Jha, head of the endocrinology department at Max hospital, Saket also confirmed the absence of Zyloric at the hospital's pharmacy.

The spokesperson of GlaxoSmithKline, which manufactures the drug, told TOI: "We are currently facing some issues across our manufacturing network that is impacting our ability to supply a number of products. We are doing our utmost to bring supply back to normal as soon as possible." The spokesperson added that restoring normal supply may take a few months.

A senior official from Cadila Healthcare said there was no shortage of any drug manufactured by the company. "We continue to produce at our previous levels. There is no cut in either production or supply. I am surprised to hear that you have found shortage. From our end, the supply situation is fine and we have not received any complaints," a senior executive of the company said.

National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which has the mandate to ensure availability of medicines in the market while keeping a check on prices, said it had not received any complaints on shortages due to price control. A senior official in the authority said there was no question of price regulation leading to drug shortages because the domestic industry has been witnessing growth in its annual turnover every month.

The authority on Friday included 52 new drug formulation packs under its price control mechanism.

According to IMS Health's latest market data, pharmaceutical sales in the domestic market during November grew 11.6% from the previous month. However, it shows sales of price-regulated medicines had come down marginally by 1.8% as compared to previous year. The total pharmaceutical market is pegged at over Rs 86,000 crore annually.

Industry officials say the growth of the sector is hindered because of overregulation and lack of clarity in pricing norms. "NPPA should regulate prices as per the pricing policy. Mass consumption is not a criterion for NLEM. It would be desirable that the selection of drugs is left to the core committee of experts as per established criteria. The role of NPPA is to implement the policy in letter and spirit and not create confusion leading to instability," a senior executive from a leading drug manufacturer said.


The Times of India, 13 December, 2014, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/After-price-control-several-key-drugs-in-short-supply/articleshow/45499903.cms


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