GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2494
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11TH MARCH, 2016
DIABETES
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the annual spending on account of diabetes treatment in India is pegged from Rs. 1.5 lakh crore, 4.7 times the allocation of Rs. 32,000 crore on health, if so, the details thereof and the reasons for such an inadequate allocation and spending;
(b) whether the rising cost of insulin, making it virtually unaffordable for a large chunk of patients, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the various efforts being made by the Government to tackle the disease effectively?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)
(a) to (C): The annual spending on diabetes treatment in the country is not maintained centrally.
As per National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority three Insulin Injections in the strength of 40IU / ml viz., Insulin Injection (Soluble), Intermediate Acting (Lente/NPH Insulin) and Premix insulin 30:70 Injection are included in the schedule-I of the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO), 2013 and are under price control. These insulin injections were also under price control under DPCO, 1995 and the ceiling price fixed under the provision of DPCO, 1995 continue to be in force as per the provisions of DPCO, 2013.
While Health is a State subject, the Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments for improving healthcare. Government of India has launched National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) which is implemented for interventions up to District level under the National Health Mission. NPCDCS has a focus on awareness generation for behaviour and life-style changes, screening and early diagnosis of persons with high level of risk factors and their treatment and referral (if required) to higher facilities for appropriate management for Non-communicable Diseases (NCD). Under NPCDCS, diagnosis and treatment facilities for diabetes are provided through different levels of healthcare by setting up NCD Clinics in District Hospitals and Community Health Centres (CHCs).