PANAJI: With the aim of providing people more access to high cost medical treatment for cancer and rare diseases, Goa introduced an innovative pricing policy for life-saving treatments.Under the policy, the state government will purchase drugs, medical equipment and diagnosis from drug firms at the price of listed price, so that more patients can be enabled to allocate budget allocation or long -term support for remedies.Health Minister, Worldly Relieved Rane on Wednesday said that the government is the first in the country to adopt this policy structure, which enables confidential pricing agreements between the government and the pharmaceutical innovators. Rollouts are likely to begin with the treatment of lung cancer.He said that innovative treatment for diseases such as cancer, rare genetic disorders, and autoimmune conditions can cost above Rs 50 lakh per year, making them difficult for most patients.“Adopting this pricing policy is an important and time to move the health equity in the state. This value for pricing will improve access to patients and mark a new era that focuses on helping more patients,” Ren said.This new innovation will prove beneficial for Goa, which is in the upper quarter of the list of highest cancer events in the country. The state looks at about 1,500 new cancer patients every year, which is determined to increase by 5% each year, the most common cancer is breast cancer, accounting for more than 300 annual cases, followed by oral cavity cancer, which is 20–25% of all cancer.Rain said that the healthcare system should be better equipped with cancer and rare disease cases to handle the increasing burden.In addition to health or a committee headed by Joint Secretary and Dean of GMC, Director of Health Services and Pharmacy Heads will be formed to recommend fair pricing for approval by the government. The committee will also be empowered to interact with firms to secure the best rate for patent drugs and equipment after signing agreements.
