Govt cuts prices of 250 medicines; expects to save MVR 220 million

The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) has announced a reduction in the prices of 250 essentials medicines covered under Aasandha – as part of efforts to control the prices of medicines and reform the public health insurance scheme.

According to a statement released by NSPA on Sunday evening, the price reductions will be carried out in phases; the prices of 87 medicines will be reduced starting November 1, and the prices of the remaining 126 medicines will be reduced starting November 24.

Heena Waleed, the managing director of NSPA, told Sun that that the price adjustments will save Aasandha an estimated MVR 220 million annually.

She said that the price adjustments are something that different administrations over the years had planned on implementing, but never got done.

Heena said the medicines will continue to be available to the public for free from pharmacies under the Aasandha scheme.

“This isn’t a change to the bulk procurement policy. Bulk procurement will continue as previously announced. This is a measure taken to stop the huge wastage until this gets done,” she said.

NSPA said that the updated price lists will be published on the Aasandha website on the dates the price changes kick in.

The agency encouraged the public to report any price discrepancies in dispensing medicine through the ‘Shikavathi’ chatline at 7951400.