Uttarakhand Considers Free Cancer Drugs Under Ayushman Bharat After Centre Cuts Prices of 121 Drugs

The news

The Uttarakhand government is considering including expensive cancer drugs under the Ayushman Bharat scheme after the central government reduced prices of 121 cancer drugs covering over 1,300 formulations. Health Minister Subodh Uniyal said the state is examining requests from hospitals to bring these drugs into the scheme's package, and a decision in the interest of patients is expected soon. If approved, beneficiaries would receive full cancer treatment free of cost under Ayushman Bharat.

Until now, expensive drugs used in chemotherapy, radiation, immuno and targeted therapies were not covered under the scheme, forcing patients to pay lakhs of rupees out of pocket. Dr. Daulat Singh, head of the cancer department at Doon Medical College, said some chemotherapy drugs that earlier cost ₹50,000-60,000 now cost ₹5,000-6,000 after the central price cut. Uttarakhand reports 12,000 to 13,000 new cancer patients every year, and the state government is also strengthening cancer departments at AIIMS and medical colleges to handle the rising patient load.

When was Ayushman Bharat launched and what does it cover?

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) was launched on 23 September 2018 as a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It provides a health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to over 12 crore poor and vulnerable families, covering pre-existing diseases from day one. The scheme is governed by the National Health Authority and includes a defined list of treatment packages, but expensive cancer drugs were not part of the standard package rates. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), established in 1997, regulates drug prices under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, and its recent price cuts on cancer drugs have now made their inclusion under the scheme financially feasible.

What was the gap in Ayushman Bharat coverage?

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY provides health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care, covering pre-existing diseases from day one. However, expensive cancer drugs used in chemotherapy, radiation, immuno and targeted therapies were excluded from the package, forcing patients to pay lakhs out of pocket and often to discontinue treatment midway.

How will the price cut and inclusion help patients?

The central government's price reduction on 121 cancer drugs (over 1,300 formulations) has made inclusion under Ayushman Bharat viable. For example, drugs costing ₹50,000-60,000 now cost ₹5,000-6,000. If Uttarakhand includes these, it will significantly reduce the financial burden on poor patients and improve treatment completion rates. The state's 12,000-13,000 annual new cancer patients stand to benefit directly.

What is the next step?

The Uttarakhand State Health Authority is examining requests from hospitals. A positive decision would set a precedent for other states to follow. The state government is also strengthening cancer departments at AIIMS and medical colleges to handle the rising patient load.