New Delhi : Recent surveys and high demands of thyroxine sodium clearly states that in India there are number of patients suffering from different levels and types of thyroid disease. Indian government claiming that GST implementation will definitely reduce the prices of the essential drugs, but government covers only insulin, critical-care products for kidney ailments, cancer, as well as anti-retrovirals under National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM).
Government added thyroxine sodium’s 50 mcg and 100 mcg dosages in the list of NLEM. It used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition because of low levels of thyroid hormone. But, what about the other strengths of the composition like 12.5mcg, 25mcg etc… AICDF urges NPPA to bring all stock keeping units (SKUs) of thyroxine sodium under National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) to reduce their prices as there are number of users in India.
The main concern is the prices of thyroxine sodium’s 50 mcg and 100 mcg dosages are under price control but the other strengths of the molecule like 12.5 mcg, 25 mcg, 62.5 mcg, 75 mcg, 88 mcg, 112 mcg, 125 mcg, and 150 mcg are out of NLEM, that leads higher prices than 50 mcg and 100 mcg dosages. So, AICDF urges NPPA to add all the SKUs of thyroxine under NLEM.
Abbott India manufactured 50 mcg and 100 mcg Thyronorm tablets costs Rs.95.55 and Rs.126 respectively with GST. And the prices of 12.5 mcg and 25 mcg tablets which are not under price control costs at Rs.134.40 and Rs.128.10 respectively.
With the implementation of 12 per cent GST, the prices of Thyronorm tablets containing 12.5 mcg, 25 mcg, 50 mcg of thyroxine sodium have increased to Rs.134.40, Rs.130.20 and Rs.97.43 respectively.
Joydeep Sarkar, General Secretary, AICDF said they write to NPPA to benefit consumers who prescribed different dosages of the thyroxine sodium drug and If certain dosages of the same drug has been kept out of the NLEM, it defies the very purpose of price control.
