Title: Demanded a statement from the Central Government over price rise of life saving drugs/government operations and availablity of antibiotics in hospitals.
SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI (RAIGANJ): Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the last six months or so, throughout India, there is a widespread concern on the issue of the prices of the essential drugs, life-saving drugs, and the management of health care.
Sir, we got a report from a voluntary organisation that in most of the States, the special care health hazards relating to kidney, lung, brain, and chest cannot be taken care of in the State hospitals, resulting to the patients go to Vellore, Bangalore, and also to various parts of India. The cost of each operation and treatment ranges from Rs.1.5 lakh to Rs.3 lakh. There is no monitoring by the State or the Union administration to negotiate with the institution to bring down the prices.
Secondly, for the last six months, the cost of the anti-biotic capsules of all kinds of diseases prescribed by the doctors has gone up between 20 per cent and 45 per cent. It was also found that for the last one month or so, in and around Delhi and up to Uttar Pradesh, the cost of some of these capsules has gone up by 65 per cent or 70 per cent. Even the cost of the band aid, which is normally put for a minor cut, has gone up by 30 per cent. The cost of the raw materials has not even gone up by five per cent. With the result, there is a total loot in the country by the pharmaceutical industry.
I, therefore, through you, draw the attention of the Government because the people who are otherwise poor or lower middle-class cannot afford to the quantum jump of the price of the medicine every fortnight. Therefore, the Government of India which has got a responsibility in this regard, should make a statement thereon as to how they are trying to control and monitor the price rise of these life saving drugs.
MR. SPEAKER: Is there any response from the Government side?
… (Interruptions)
SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : Mr. Speaker, Sir, will the Government react on this?
MR. SPEAKER: Is there any reaction from the Government side? The concerned Minister is not here.
SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : Mr. Speaker, Sir, I gave a notice 48 hours before. This is such an important matter that the Government should react. I gave this copy to the Health Minister and the Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers. It is a very serious matter.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Is there anything from the Government side? It comes under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI P.R. KUMARAMANGALAM: Actually, it is regarding availability of antibiotics in hospitals and also availability in terms of production. It will be the responsibility of the respective Ministers. I should bring it to their notice. I appreciate the hon. Member’s point of view for mainly bringing it to the notice of the House because it is a very important matter.
SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : There is a 65 per cent increase. What is this?