About 40 lakh AP people affected by escalating drug cost
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Visakhapatnam: Despite the Union government’s price cap on about 700 essential medications, the medical expenses of hypertension and diabetes continue to affect the finances of people in AP, which is often designated as the capital of diabetes. On an average, a patient with diabetes and hypertension has to shell out anywhere between Rs 2,000 to 3,000 every month, even in the initial years or more depending on the severity of the illness.
Pharmaceutical companies introducing new combination of drugs or new doses to stay outside the purview of Drug Price Control Order 2013 and declining access to these price-controlled medications are said to be the major causes of increasing treatment burden. A recent survey carried out by the IMS Health also outlined that the price control measures were ineffective in increasing access to these drugs.
According to an estimate, hypertension and diabetes are affecting the finances of about 40 lakh people in the state. According to the door-to-door screening of National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) during 2013-14, the incidence of diabetes and hypertension stands around 7.5 per cent.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Dr K.A.V. Subrahmanyam, an endocrinologist and HoD of Endocrinology at Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, explained that the tectonic shift in lifestyle made Indians susceptible to hypertension, diabetes and other co-morbidities. “Once you contract diabetes, the range of expenses head only northwards with each passing year. Right from laboratory charges, medication expenses and travelling expenses to reach the medical centres from far-off places such as Srikakulam and agency areas, diabetes can affect the patients in many forms,” he said. A. Govindam, Deputy Director, AP Drug Control Authority said that they conduct periodic checks to curb the malpractices.
Jeevanadhara yet to pick up demand:
The Jeevandhara generic medicine stores, which the AP government introduced with an intention to reduce the burden on patients, is receiving a cold response. Lack of awareness, non-availability of all medications and doctors not prescribing generic medications are some of the reasons for the lukewarm response.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a Jeevandhara store representative from Anakapalle said that though there was an initial slump , people are slowly coming forward to buy generic medicines. “Lack of awareness about generics in the public is a major hurdle for our business. But slowly the business is picking up. People should be made aware of the financial benefits of generic medications,” she added.
About 40 Jeevandhara stores are currently running and another 133 stores are set to open soon. When asked how generic medications differ from the branded ones, Dr. K.A.V. Subrahmanyam, said, “The working mechanism of both generics and branded ones is the same. But availability of generic medicines is a problem,” he said.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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