Health experts back SC move to cap anti-cancer drug prices
Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court ’s recent observations on steep markups on anti-cancer drugs found an echo with public health experts, oncologists and civil society representatives, who said the intervention could help make life-saving treatment more affordable for patients.
On the eve of National Cancer Awareness Day , health activist Gouranga Mohapatra said cancer patients and their families are often not in a position to question or bargain over medicine prices. The court’s observations, he said, send out a clear message that access to treatment should not be undermined by excessive profiteering.
Mohapatra said pharmaceutical innovation and industry growth are important, but they must not result in patients being denied treatment. He stressed the need to balance industry incentives with the right to affordable healthcare .
“A long-term solution is needed. The govt should put in place a mechanism to regulate drug prices while also ensuring the quality of medicines,” Mohapatra said.
City-based surgical oncologist Dillip Kumar Muduly welcomed the apex court’s intervention and said it would benefit lakhs of cancer patients. He urged govt to act proactively to cap medicine prices and closely monitor the market.
“Patients should not be exploited. There is also a need to create greater awareness about cancer so that people can speak out against unreasonable drug prices,” Muduly said.
On the eve of National Cancer Awareness Day , health activist Gouranga Mohapatra said cancer patients and their families are often not in a position to question or bargain over medicine prices. The court’s observations, he said, send out a clear message that access to treatment should not be undermined by excessive profiteering.
Mohapatra said pharmaceutical innovation and industry growth are important, but they must not result in patients being denied treatment. He stressed the need to balance industry incentives with the right to affordable healthcare .
“A long-term solution is needed. The govt should put in place a mechanism to regulate drug prices while also ensuring the quality of medicines,” Mohapatra said.
City-based surgical oncologist Dillip Kumar Muduly welcomed the apex court’s intervention and said it would benefit lakhs of cancer patients. He urged govt to act proactively to cap medicine prices and closely monitor the market.
“Patients should not be exploited. There is also a need to create greater awareness about cancer so that people can speak out against unreasonable drug prices,” Muduly said.
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