Cancer drug prices cut to ease patients’ burden: Randhir Sharma

BJP chief spokesperson and media in-charge Randhir Sharma welcomed the price cuts on 397 cancer medicines, saying the move will ease the burden on patients and their families facing high treatment costs. Addressing a press conference in Shimla, he said the revised price list issued on October 27 reduced the maximum retail prices of 397 out of 543 cancer-related medicines by up to 93 per cent.

Sharma said the price cuts would help ease the financial burden of cancer treatment on families. He said the Center had approved 320 additional postgraduate medical seats in medical colleges across Himachal Pradesh, with around Rs 415 crore in financial assistance. He accused the Congress government of taking credit for Center-supported initiatives.

Referring to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded health project worth Rs 1,422 crore, Sharma alleged that the state government had made insufficient progress in ensuring its benefits reached the public.

He also questioned the pace of construction of critical care blocks and block public health units under the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).

Sharma further alleged that the state had not made adequate use of Rs 521 crore approved for the health sector under the 15th Finance Commission.