NPPA, Karnataka Govt together sets up Price Monitoring and Resource Unit
The primary function of PMRUs is to assist the NPPA in monitoring prices of drugs, ensuring availability of drugs and raising consumer awareness.
New Delhi: The government on Thursday said a price monitoring and resource unit (PMRU) has been set up in Karnataka under the aegis of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).
The unit will function at the state level under the direct supervision of the state drug controller for increasing outreach of the NPPA. The primary function of PMRUs is to assist the NPPA in monitoring the prices of drugs, ensuring the availability of drugs, and raising consumer awareness.
Confirmation to this effect was given by the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri DV Sadananda Gowda who tweeted to announce the same as;
It gives me great pleasure to announce the registration of Price Monitoring and Resource Unit by Karnataka State Govt today. pic.twitter.com/7ZdqNvCFEV
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) August 12, 2020
The Minister added that " The PMRU will be fully funded and supported by NPPA and strengthen the state machinery to ensure availability of affordable medicines especially in the context of current challenges posed by COVID pandemic.
"Under its central sector scheme named ''Consumer Awareness, Publicity, and Price Monitoring'', the NPPA has already set up PMRUs in 12 states and UTs, the Minister added.
As per a recent PTI report, the national drug pricing regulator plans to set up PMRUs in all the 36 states and UTs. The expenses of PMRUs, both recurring and non-recurring, are borne by the NPPA under the scheme.
The regulator has been working in tandem with state governments during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the seamless availability of life-saving essential medicines including hydroxychloroquine, paracetamol, vaccines, insulin, and medicines under the COVID-19 protocol, the statement said.
Till now National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) is headquartered at Delhi only and with the setting up of PMRUs in States/ UTs, NPPA shall have outreach at State Level as well.
