Khader Urges Centre to Bring All Life-Saving Drugs Under Price Control

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 4, 2026: Health Minister UT Khader has urged the Union government to enact legislation to curb excessive profiteering by pharmaceutical companies and bring all life-saving drugs under price control.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Khader said the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) currently has the power to regulate prices only of scheduled drugs, allowing pharmaceutical companies to impose exorbitant profit margins on non-scheduled medicines. He cited the example of an injection costing ₹5,000 being sold for as much as ₹60,000.

As state governments lack direct authority to regulate medicine prices, Karnataka has written to the Centre, submitting a detailed report seeking the inclusion of all life-saving drugs under the price control list, he said.

The state is currently conducting price inspections of medical consumables, injections and implants. In the next phase, a study will cover 186 major branded drugs. Citing the Supreme Court’s objections to arbitrary drug pricing, Khader urged the Centre to take urgent corrective measures.

He also announced that a national-level consultation involving food and drug department commissioners and senior officials from various states will be held in Bengaluru on November 15. The meeting will focus on strengthening food and drug safety standards and clarifying the respective responsibilities of the Centre and state governments.

On the availability of anti-snake venom, Khader said there was no shortage in Karnataka. Each Primary Health Centre (PHC) has been stocked with 10 vials, taluk hospitals with 30 vials, while district warehouses maintain adequate reserves.

He added that the government is planning to introduce cold storage facilities in 108 ambulances to ensure the safe storage of anti-snake venom. The service is expected to be implemented within the next one or two months.