Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Steps against drug overpricing

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Medical Supplies Corporation will be strengthened to counter the “drug mafia” allegedly involved in the over-pricing of life-saving drugs in the State, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said.

He stated this in reply to a Calling Attention Motion moved by V.D. Satheeshan in the Assembly on Wednesday.

Mr. Satheeshan told the House about the unhealthy practices going on in the drug and medical equipment business in the State, with certain manufacturers and distributors pricing their products at exorbitant levels and pushing the overpriced products with the help of obliging doctors.

He urged the government to constitute an authority with statutory powers to enforce fair pricing of life-saving drugs.

The authority could be modelled after the National Pricing Authority, Mr. Satheeshan said.

Health Minister Adoor Prakash said the government was aware of the seriousness of the issue and would take steps to prevent drug overpricing.

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