The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has invoked a clause of a legislation that will equip it to issue directions to the manufacturers for regulating distribution of drugs in case of emergency or in case of non-commercial use in public interest with a view to achieve adequate availability of medicines and medical devices.
The move aims to ensure consistent supply of medicines and medical devices in the country which along with other nations is grappling with the deadly Covid-19 pandemic. The virulent pathogen has so far claimed over 350 lives.
A senior official from the national drug price regulator, NPPA said that Para 3 of the DPCO (Drug Price Control Order)-2013 has been invoked.
“Invoking of para 3 of DPCO-2013 will help the drug pricing regulator to resolve issues associated with the availability, supply and shortage of drugs and medical devices.”
He explained, “as per para 3 of DPCO-2013, NPPA may give directions to manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or bulk drugs or formulations with a view to achieve adequate availability and to regulate the distribution of drugs, in case of emergency..
“… or in circumstances of urgency or in case of non-commercial use in public interest, direct any manufacturer of any APIs or bulk drug or formulation to increase the production and to sell such APIs or bulk drug to such other manufacturer(s) of formulations and to direct formulators to sell the formulations to institutions, hospitals or any agency as the case may be,” the official said.