Government launches pharma price data bank

Union minister of chemicals and fertilisers Ananth Kumar  launched Pharma Price Data Bank in New Delhi on Thursday.

It is an integrated Pharmaceutical Database Management System, managed and operated by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).

Speaking at the release ceremony, Kumar said that this is the first data bank of Pharma industry that will help the manufacturers, regulator as well as the common masses. He said that now Manufacturers can fill their mandatory forms online, the government and NPPA can have comprehensive data, and consumers can benefit by having full information about the medicines.

He called for next generation of reforms in the pharmaceutical industry so that consumers are empowered to make right choice of medicines, based on complete information about the products, their composition and their rates.

Kumar also said the availability of real time data would help in better policy interventions.

Appreciating the initiative of NPPA, minister of state for chemicals and fertilizers HG Ahir said that the database would benefit the common man.

The Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Dr. V.K. Subburaj said that the Databank will help in simplification of procedures. He expressed the hope that online system will become popular and companies will provide complete and timely information.

Pharma Price Data bank is an integrated Pharmaceutical Database Management System that will be used by pharma manufacturers/marketing/ importer/ distributor companies to make online submission of mandatory information/data as prescribed under the Drugs Price Control Order, 2013.

The facility for submitting application for price fixation of new drugs is also available. NPPA is already operating another portal ''Pharma Jan Samadhan'' that registers complaints about shortage or overcharging for medicines.

The NPPA Chairman Shri I. Srinivas disclosed that over 10,000 manufacturers making over one lakh formulations would benefit from this online compilation in better monitoring and oversight of the industry.