📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Health
Assam Orders Pharmacies and Hospitals to Offer 137 Cancer Drugs at Lower Prices from Nov 9
✍️ India Today NE
🗓 03 Nov 2026, 02:32 AM
👁 13
The Assam government has instructed all pharmacies and hospitals to sell 137 anti‑cancer medicines at reduced rates starting 9 November, aiming to ease the financial burden on patients.
The health department of Assam issued a directive on Wednesday mandating that every pharmacy and hospital in the state list 137 approved anti‑cancer drugs at subsidised rates. The order, which comes into force on 9 November, seeks to make life‑saving chemotherapy and targeted‑therapy medicines more affordable for the state's cancer patients.
Under the directive, the listed drugs will be sold at prices fixed by the state health ministry, which are lower than the prevailing market rates. The list includes a mix of generic and brand‑name formulations used for common cancers such as breast, lung, cervical and oral cancers.
State officials said the move is part of a broader effort to improve access to oncology care in Assam, where the incidence of cancer has been rising steadily. The health department will monitor compliance through routine inspections and will penalise any outlet that fails to adhere to the price schedule.
Patients and patient‑rights groups have welcomed the decision, noting that high drug costs have often forced families to seek costly alternatives or abandon treatment altogether. The government plans to review the price list periodically to ensure it reflects current market conditions and therapeutic advances.
Under the directive, the listed drugs will be sold at prices fixed by the state health ministry, which are lower than the prevailing market rates. The list includes a mix of generic and brand‑name formulations used for common cancers such as breast, lung, cervical and oral cancers.
State officials said the move is part of a broader effort to improve access to oncology care in Assam, where the incidence of cancer has been rising steadily. The health department will monitor compliance through routine inspections and will penalise any outlet that fails to adhere to the price schedule.
Patients and patient‑rights groups have welcomed the decision, noting that high drug costs have often forced families to seek costly alternatives or abandon treatment altogether. The government plans to review the price list periodically to ensure it reflects current market conditions and therapeutic advances.