Context: Recently, Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory has become 12th State where the Price Monitoring and Resource Unit (PMRU) has been set up by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).

• PMRUs have already been set up by NPPA in 11 States, including, Kerala, Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Mizoram.

About Price Monitoring and Resource Unit 

• It is basically a registered society and shall function under the direct control and supervision of State Drug Controller of respective states. The unit shall be funded by NPPA for its recurring and non-recurring expenses.

Functions of Price Monitoring and Resource Unit

The key functions of Price Monitoring & Resource Unit of NPPA include:

• Helping NPPA and State Drug Controller in ensuring availability and accessibility of medicines at affordable prices.
• Organising seminars, training programs and other information, education and communication (IEC) activities in the areas of availability and affordability of medicines for all.
• Collecting samples of medicines, collect and analyse data and make reports with respect to availability and over-pricing of medicines for taking action under the provisions of Drug Price Control Order (DPCO).

About National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority

• It is a government regulatory agency that controls the prices of pharmaceutical drugs in India.
• It was constituted via Government of India Resolution on 29th August, 1997 as an attached office of the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
• It was constituted as an independent Regulator for pricing of drugs and to ensure availability and accessibility of medicines at affordable prices.
• The NPPA regularly publishes lists of medicines and their maximum ceiling prices. The latest DPCO was released in 2013 which has a list of 384 drugs.

Functions of NPPA

• Implementation: Implementing and enforcing the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order in accordance with the powers delegated to it.
• Legal: It deals with all legal matters arising out of the decisions of the Authority.
• Monitoring: Monitoring the availability of drugs, identify shortages, if any, and to take remedial steps.
• Collection: It collect/ maintain data on production, exports and imports, market share of individual companies, profitability of companies etc, for bulk drugs and formulations.
• Studies: Undertaking and/ or sponsoring relevant studies in respect of pricing of drugs/ pharmaceuticals.
• Recruitment: It is also responsible for recruitment/ appointment of the officers and other staff members of the Authority, as per rules and procedures laid down by the Government.
• Advice: It render advice to the Central Government on changes/ revisions in the drug policy.
• Assistance: It also render assistance to the Central Government in the parliamentary matters relating to the drug pricing.