Congress MP raised questions on the decision to increase the price of eight essential medicines, wrote a letter to PM for this demand
Price Row: Congress MP from Tamil Nadu Manikam Tagore has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning the decision to increase the price of some essential medicines. He has written in the letter that I am waiting for your reply and hope for a solution in which the well-being of our citizens is given priority. Let us know why the MP raised questions on the justification of the decision in the letter.
Congress MP Manikam Tagore has expressed his disapproval of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority's recent decision to raise the costs of eight widely used medications in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tagore also called for the establishment of an independent committee to determine the real impact of the price increase.
In the letter, Tagore said that he is concerned about the recent decision taken by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which talks of increasing the maximum price of eight commonly used medicines by 50 percent. "While I understand that the government has cited 'exceptional circumstances' and 'public interest' for this increase, I believe it is important to clarify the rationale behind such a significant decision," the Congress MP from Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu said.
"This price rise will hit essential medicines for diseases like asthma, tuberculosis, bipolar disorder, and glaucoma that millions of people depend on," said Tagore. He said that already, many patients and their families were finding it very difficult to afford the treatment they needed. Tagore added that a sudden increase in the price of medicines can add to the existing burden of such individuals, which can tell upon their health adversarial.
"I urge on the government to give a fuller explanation of what these exceptional circumstances were that have made the increase necessary. I recommend also that the government establish an independent review committee to consider in detail what the real effect of this increase will be on patients and healthcare providers," he said in the letter dated October 25.
A committee can give recommendations for future pricing policies that balance between industry viability and public health needs, he said. "Transparency in this decision-making process is key to public confidence. A close review can lead to an informed policy that keeps essential drugs affordable and accessible for everyone," Tagore emphasized. "I hope to hear from you and trust it would be a solution that prioritizes the well-being of our citizens," said the Congress leader.
