India looks to beef up DPCO, as China removes most drug price controls

Even as China has removed price control on most drugs, and though a research report has pointed out that drug price control in India is neither a sustainable nor an effective strategy for improving access to medicines, the Indian government is looking to beef up the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), reports The Pharma Letter’s India correspondent.

As of June this year, China has stepped back and is no longer setting prices, though some psychotropic drugs and narcotics are still under the control of the government. China's top economic planner has said drug prices would instead be set by the market, in a move that is hoped to make China's pharmaceutical industry more competitive and ensure lower costs for consumers.

Task force recommends review