Abstract

EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF PRICE REGULATION IN INDIA: PMRU ROLES AND IMPLICATIONS OF THE DPCO AMENDMENT IN REGULATING THE SCHEDULED AND NON SCHEDULED FORMULATIONS

*Dr. E. Anandakirouchenane, E. Shabna and K. Afreen

ABSTRACT

Drugs are recognized as „Essential commodity‟ should always be available to the general public at a reasonable price. In order to monitor the prices of medicines, the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) issued with the aid of using the authorities below Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 empowering it to repair and modify the costs of critical bulk drugs and their formulations. DPCO is useful for controlling the prices of life-saving drugs that are essential in the current scenario of healthcare and diseases. The paper encompasses the brief history & impact of DPCO amendment in Regulating the Scheduled and Non Scheduled Formulations, functions of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), strengthening of Price Monitoring and Resource Unit (PMRU) and how the consumers benefited by PMRUs & price regulations in India.

Keywords: Drug Price Control Order, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, Price Monitoring and Resource Unit, Pharma Sahi Daam, Scheduled and Non Scheduled Formulations.