Date:29/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/03/29/stories/2005032902790300.htm

Back Post-patent, prices of cancer, HIV drugs may go up: Paswan

Our Bureau

New Delhi , March 28

THERE is a strong possibility that following the passage of the Patent (Amendment) Bill, 2005 in Parliament, the prices of some drugs will increase.

The Minister for Chemicals, Fertilisers and Steel, Mr Ram Vilas Paswan, today said that prices of some drugs, particularly those for cancer and HIV, may actually go up.

"I cannot rule out the possibility of prices of some drugs going up," Mr Paswan said here today.

"Though all precautionary measures have been taken as regards prices, the prices of drugs for cancer, HIV and some other diseases could go up," he said.

However, he said that patented medicines would be allowed only after price negotiations.

The Minister said that there are enough "weapons" with the Government to ensure that the peoples' welfare was taken care of, particularly with respect to life-saving drugs.

Mr Paswan said that two committees have been set up to examine the issue of availability of drugs at affordable prices. One committee is set up within the Ministry headed by a Joint Secretary and the second one is a task force set up by the Prime Minister. The task force is expected to submit its report within the next 2-3 months, the Minister said.