Prices for more than 900 essential drugs have risen by 6% since April 1, putting additional pressure on many people across India.
These are not luxurious items, but are necessary medications that are used daily to treat common and serious health issues such as diabetes, blood pressure, asthma, infections, and heart disease. For people suffering from chronic conditions, even a hike of 1-2 pounds per dose increases quickly, resulting in a burden of 1,500-2000 pounds per month.
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Approved based on last year’s Wholesale Price Index, hikes affect daily medications such as paracetamol, metformin, amlodipine, salbutamol inhalers, and even vitamin supplements.
The government has allowed these annual revisions, but the actual costs are paid by people who can’t afford it. Currently, we are forced to choose food, transport, and life-saving medicines.
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Doctors warn that this price increase could lead to patients moving towards dosage skipping or turning them into unsafe, unregulated alternatives.
Public health programs like Jan Aushadhi and affordable outlets are also likely to feel pressured, reducing access to the most vulnerable sections of society. This situation is particularly surprising for cancer patients, transplant recipients, and people with cardiovascular disease who need long-term medication.
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The Pharmacy Association has urged the government to consider solutions such as targeted subsidies and improving public supply chains. Without timely intervention, this price hike will only deepen medical inequality and punish those who are already struggling to survive.
