Guwahati, 10 November (H.S.): The Assam Pradesh BJP has warmly welcomed the Centre's decision to reduce the prices of cancer medicines by up to 96%, describing it as a historic step that will provide major relief to patients and their families. The revised prices came into effect from November 9.

In a statement issued from the party headquarters, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan, BJP spokesperson Kishore Kumar Bhattacharyya said that some private hospitals and distributors had previously imposed excessive charges on cancer patients and their families to earn higher profits. The Centre's decision would help put an end to such practices, he said.

He said cancer patients and their families across the country would benefit significantly from the move. According to estimates, the reduction in prices, implemented through the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and the Department of Pharmaceuticals, is expected to generate annual savings of around ₹3,540 crore for cancer patients and their families.

The revised pricing covers around 1,300 brands of medicines manufactured by approximately 85 pharmaceutical companies. Prices of certain medicines have been reduced by nearly 96%. A life-saving cancer drug that earlier cost ₹27,000 will now be available for ₹2,700, while another medicine previously priced at ₹1.30 lakh will cost only ₹11,000.

Bhattacharyya described the price reduction as a life-saving measure, particularly for economically weaker patients and their families. The NPPA has already prepared a list of 137 medicines, with their revised prices made available on its official website. Consumers can also check the prices of listed medicines through the 'Pharma Sahi Daam' mobile application, helping prevent exploitation by middlemen and unethical traders.

The NPPA has also announced that complaints regarding discrepancies in prescribed medicine prices can be lodged through its email service or toll-free helpline number 1800-11-1255.

Highlighting Assam's cancer burden, the BJP spokesperson said the state has the highest number of cancer patients in the Northeast, with an incidence rate higher than the national average. While India records an average of 97 cancer cases per one lakh population, the figure for Assam stands at 114. Therefore, the Centre's decision would particularly benefit a large number of economically disadvantaged cancer patients and their families in Assam, he added.

Bhattacharyya further said that since assuming office, the Narendra Modi-led government had introduced several initiatives to improve healthcare access for economically weaker sections, including Ayushman Bharat, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.

He also highlighted initiatives such as comprehensive health screenings and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, aimed at strengthening healthcare services across the country.

Stressing that a developed India cannot be built without a healthy India, he said the Centre was committed to achieving this objective through effective healthcare policies and welfare initiatives.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash