A parliamentary committee has urged the Indian government to significantly expand price controls on cancer medications, recommending inclusion of vaccines, immunotherapy, and oral chemotherapy treatments under existing regulatory frameworks to address widespread affordability concerns.
The committee, headed by Narain Dass Gupta, emphasized that despite government efforts to strengthen regulatory frameworks for cancer drug pricing, "a substantial segment of such drugs remains beyond the ambit of current price control mechanisms." The panel specifically noted that many crucial oncology medications fall outside the Drugs (Prices Control) Order 2013, resulting in "excessive and often unaffordable pricing."
Current Regulatory Gaps
According to the committee's findings, while the number of anti-cancer medicines under price control has increased from 40 in 2011 to 63 in 2022, "a significant number of oncology medications are not included under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, and thus are not subject to any statutory price ceiling."
The existing framework includes a 30% trade margin cap on 42 essential anti-cancer drugs, but the committee argues this coverage remains insufficient given the expanding landscape of cancer therapeutics.
Recommendations for Expanded Coverage
The committee has made specific recommendations to address these regulatory gaps:
"The committee strongly recommends that the govt undertake urgent measures to expand the scope of the DPCO to include the widest possible range of cancer drugs," the panel stated in its report.
The proposed expansion would encompass:
- Cancer vaccines
- Immunotherapy treatments
- Oral chemotherapy medications
Quality Assurance for Generic Alternatives
Beyond pricing controls, the committee addressed concerns about generic drug quality that contribute to physician reluctance in prescribing cost-effective alternatives. The panel emphasized "the need for stringent quality monitoring of generic drugs to encourage their prescription by medical professionals, addressing existing hesitancy."
This recommendation aims to build confidence in lower-cost generic options while ensuring therapeutic equivalence and safety standards.
Policy Implications
The committee's recommendations represent a comprehensive approach to cancer drug accessibility, combining price regulation with quality assurance measures. The proposal seeks to address both the immediate affordability crisis and long-term sustainability of cancer care in India's healthcare system.
The parliamentary panel's call for urgent government action reflects growing recognition that current regulatory mechanisms, while showing progress over the past decade, require substantial expansion to meet the evolving needs of cancer patients facing increasingly expensive treatment options.
