Centre asks States to ensure drugs at affordable prices

New Delhi: The central government on Tuesday asked National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and State governments to ensure adequate supply of APIs and formulations at affordable prices in the market.

It also issued instructions to NPPA, DCGI and state governments to prevent black marketing, illegal hoarding, artificial

shortages of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations in the country.

NPPA has also written to chief secretaries of states with copies to principal secretaries (health) and state drug controllers urging them to closely monitor the production and availability of APIs and formulations to prevent the black marketing and hoarding in their states or UTs, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) said in a statement.