- No change medicine bill of the senior citizens in October
- Why PM Modi not shown benevolence on patients
- Is pharmaceutical lobby powerful in India?
- Escalating Medicine Costs Frustrate Indian Patients
Patients and senior citizens who anticipated a decrease in medicine prices were disappointed after observing no change in their bill payments in October. Many in India expected a reduction in their medical bills, referencing the NDA government’s claims of adjusting GST ranging from zero to 18 percent on pharmaceutical products. However, those who purchased medicines in the first week of October found no such reduction, which came as a surprise to many patients and elderly citizens.
A. Surya Prakash, a retired state government employee, expressed his dismay: “The cost of medicines for my wife and myself reached Rs 4,000 instead of the Rs 1,500 it was five years ago. It’s a significant budget strain for a small family.” This predicament is not unique to Surya Prakash’s family but is shared by an estimated 15 crore families across India. The Indian medicine business, valued at Rs 3.5 lakh crore in 2022-23, is increasing yearly. This suggests that the pharmaceutical lobby may have become increasingly powerful, allowing it to dictate terms in its favor.
Surprisingly, the government has not made sincere efforts to ensure the widespread availability of generic medicines for key drugs. Few pharmacies are interested in selling generic drugs. Instead, even chain-pharmacy handling units are reportedly ordering high-priced generic medicines, although they offer small discounts on these drugs.
Recent Price Hikes
On October 4, 2024, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority of India (NPPA) increased the ceiling prices of eight drugs used for common ailments, including Asthma, Tuberculosis, Bipolar Disorder, and Glaucoma. Furthermore, the prices of nearly 400 essential medicines—needed for the treatment of infections, diabetes, and heart diseases, among others—were enhanced by 1.74 percent starting from April 1, 2025.
Many patients relying on daily medication for conditions like diabetes and blood pressure have experienced the impact of abnormal price hikes. The escalating medicine bill has become a household discussion. For instance, the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of Cilamet 10/25, a blood pressure medicine, is currently ₹280 per 25-tablet strip, compared to ₹120 five years ago. Similarly, Zoryl-0.5, a 20-tablet strip used for diabetes, costs ₹94 now, up from ₹24 five years ago. The prices of all medicines seem to have increased significantly, and the government has permitted these hikes by the pharmaceutical companies.
Government Oversight
Unlike most other countries, where medicines fall under the purview of the Health Ministry, the responsibility for the pharmaceutical sector in India is shared by two separate ministries: the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and the Office of the Drugs Controller under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The government’s National Pharmaceutical Policy is issued by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and is primarily an industrial policy.
Editor, Prime Post
Ravindra Seshu Amaravadi, is a senior journalist with 38 years of experience in Telugu, English news papers and electronic media. He worked in Udayam as a sub-editor and reporter. Later, he was associated with Andhra Pradesh Times, Gemini news, Deccan Chronicle, HMTV and The Hans India. Earlier, he was involved in the research work of All India Kisan Sabha on suicides of cotton farmers. In Deccan Chronicle, he exposed the problems of subabul and chilli farmers and malpractices that took place in various government departments.
