Panel asks DoP to conduct policy review on TMR approach

THE Parliamentary Panel on Chemicals and Fertilisers has asked the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to conduct a policy review regarding the implementation of a Trade Margin Rationalisation (TMR) approach on the Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO), 2013, in order to make medicines available to the general public at affordable prices.

- Gireesh Babu, New Delhi

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilisers in its latest report observed that the DoP and the NPPA have implemented the TMR approach during the time of Covid-19 pandemic and there has been delay in bringing in suitable provisions to apply the same approach on DPCO, 2013.

"The Committee therefore desires that the Department of Pharmaceuticals in consultation with NPPA should come forward for a policy review in the matter at the earliest so that medicines are available to the ordinary citizens at affordable prices," said the Panel headed by Member of Parliament Kirti Jha Azad in its 14th report.

The Committee conducted a review on the price rise of medicines in the pharmaceutical sector impacting the lives of ordinary citizens adversely, in the report. It noted that a wide range of frequently prescribed medicines, used for common ailments and chronic conditions are being sold at high prices with unjustified trade margins.