RM Reporter
COVID 19 disease causes respiratory distress.It leads to low level of oxygen saturation among infected corona patients.Many of COVID 19 patients are being put on oxygen in hospitals.Many serous COVID 19 patients are being put on ventilator also.
This situation has increased the demand of oxygen supply many fold.Many fillers and manufactures of medical oxygen are charging exorbitant prices for it.
The present situation of COVID-19 and uncapped price will lead to scarcity of Medical Oxygen (MO) in the country.Many of the States/UTs are dependent on the medical oxygen supply from other States/UTs.
Government has stepped in to insure its availability at reasonable rates. The Indian government is trying hard to ensure uninterrupted supply of Medical Oxygen especially in the times of pandemic. Oxygen Inhalation (Medicinal Gas) is a scheduled formulation, covered under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM).
Its existing Ceiling Price ,fixed by NPPA, is Rs. 17.49/CUM.
However, due to absence of price cap on liquid medical oxygen, manufacturers have hiked prices to fillers. During COVID, supply of medical oxygen through cylinders has increased . Price regulation at this end is imperative for continued availability of medical oxygen across the country.
The issue related to availability, including pricing of oxygen has been under the continued consideration of Empowered Group 2, GOI. The Empowered Group 2 has recommended National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority ( NPPA ) to consider capping the ex-factory price of liquid oxygen in order to ensure its supply to fillers at reasonable prices.
It has also requested NPPA to consider a cap for ex-factory price of oxygen in cylinders in order to ensure supply of oxygen cylinders from filler at reasonable prices.
To deal effectively with the situation, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOH&FW), GOI has vide its letter dated 23.09.2020 conferred the delegation of powers under Section 10(2) (l) of Disaster Management Act, 2005 to NPPA to take all necessary steps to immediately regulate the availability and pricing of LMO and Medical Oxygen in cylinder.
The Authority deliberated upon the matter in its extra ordinary meeting held on 25.09.2020. It has been decided to invoke extra-ordinary powers in public interest, under Para 19 of DPCO, 13 and under Section 10(20) (l) of Disaster Management Act, 2005 to deal with the emergent situation arising due to the pandemic. Accordingly it has been decided:
To cap the ex- factory price of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) at manufacturers end at Rs. 15.22/CUM exclusive of GST; and
To further cap the ex-factory cost of Medical Oxygen Cylinder at filler end at Rs. 25.71/CUM exclusive of GST in suppression of the existing Ceiling Price of Rs. 17.49/CUM, subject to transportation cost fixation at state level, for six months.
The existing rate contracts of state governments for oxygen purchase, as applicable, shall continue, in consumer interest.
The ex-factory price cap of LMO and oxygen gas cylinders will be applicable to domestic production.
The above measures will ensure availability of medical oxygen at consumer end at reasonable price both at hospital level and through oxygen cylinders, especially to distant and interior districts.
Emergency Manager magazine thinks that it is a very necessary step taken by government of India.It will stop malpractices and the cost of corona treatment will be lowered.
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