Declare Cancer a Notifiable Disease, Bring Cancer Drugs Under Price Control: Parliamentary Panel

New Delhi: "Government undertake urgent measures to expand the scope of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, to include the widest possible range of cancer drugs. In parallel, regular and comprehensive market assessments should be instituted to monitor prevailing drug prices and availability trends," the Parliamentary Committee on Petitions, Rajya Sabha, in its 163rd Report has recommended the government to broaden the regulatory net for cancer drug pricing.

The Committee on Petitions, Rajya Sabha, headed by Narain Dass Gupta, M.P., made these observations while examining a petition filed by Praveen Kumar of Delhi seeking measures to make cancer treatment affordable and accessible.

While acknowledging that “significant steps have been taken in recent years towards strengthening the regulatory framework for governing the pricing of cancer drugs and promote affordability,” the panel said “a substantial segment of such drugs still remain beyond the ambit of current price control mechanisms.” It noted that despite the inclusion of some oncology medicines in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2022, “a significant number of oncology medications are not included under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, and thus are not subject to any statutory price ceiling.”

This exclusion, the report pointed out, “has led to excessive and often unaffordable pricing, thereby limiting access for a large section of the patient population.”

The Committee further called for “a robust, institutionalised oversight mechanism” to regularly evaluate regulatory effectiveness. It also urged the government to “support indigenous development of novel oncology therapies by strengthening domestic research infrastructure, streamlining regulatory pathways, and prioritising value-based approvals.”

Apart from expanding the scope of price control, the Committee placed strong emphasis on improving treatment protocols and healthcare delivery. It specifically recommended the “integration of Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) into electronic health records to ensure adherence and uniformity in cancer care delivery.” According to the panel, this step would help minimise arbitrary treatment decisions and promote consistency across hospitals and cancer centres.

The report also underscored the need for tighter oversight of cancer care networks. It observed that “stricter monitoring of adherence to National Cancer Grid protocols is essential to maintain quality and evidence-based treatment practices across the country.” The Committee noted that while the National Cancer Grid has established important clinical frameworks, systematic compliance remains uneven, particularly in smaller facilities.

In terms of diagnostic infrastructure, the panel drew attention to the serious gaps at the local level. It stated, “improving district-level diagnostic facilities, especially in underserved and rural areas, is crucial for early detection and timely initiation of treatment.” By strengthening diagnostic capacity at the grassroots, the Committee believes that patients can avoid costly delays and the burden of travelling long distances to tertiary care centres.

The Committee further stressed on holistic and humane approaches to treatment. It urged the government to “scale up palliative care services and integrate them within mainstream oncology care, ensuring that patients at advanced stages receive adequate pain management and psychosocial support.” The report emphasised that access to palliative care remains extremely limited in India, leaving a vast number of cancer patients without essential end-of-life care.

Lastly, the panel recommended declaring cancer a notifiable disease. As noted in the report, “the Committee is of the considered view that declaring cancer as a notifiable disease would facilitate the creation of a comprehensive national cancer registry, enable better surveillance, and inform evidence-based policy interventions.” Such a measure, the Committee argued, would provide policymakers and healthcare institutions with real-time data on incidence, prevalence, and outcomes, which is currently fragmented and incomplete.

Highlighting that “over 70 percent of cancer cases in India are diagnosed at advanced stages—Stage III or IV,” the panel stressed the importance of awareness campaigns, early detection, and wider insurance coverage.

The report concluded that “while its recommendations are directed at the Government and medical institutions, citizens are the most critical stakeholders in combating cancer. Active participation in screening programmes, awareness campaigns, and community outreach is vital for early detection and effective treatment.”