Goa becomes India's first state to cut prices on high-cost cancer and rare disease therapies

Time of India

2 days ago

In a bid to make life-saving therapies more accessible to patients, the Goa government has introduced a groundbreaking pricing policy for expensive treatments, including those for cancer and rare diseases, according to a
TOI
report.
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The initiative allows the state to procure drugs, medical equipment, and diagnostics at negotiated prices below the listed rates, enabling resources to reach a larger number of patients or extend the duration of therapies.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced on Wednesday that Goa is the first state in the country to implement such a policy framework, which facilitates confidential pricing agreements with pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers.
The rollout is expected to begin with treatments for lung cancer, a condition among several high-cost therapies that can exceed Rs 50 lakh per year. According to Rane, this initiative represents a significant step toward health equity, ensuring more patients can access critical care.
'Goa's adoption of this value-based pricing policy is both timely and essential,' Rane said. 'It will improve access to innovative therapies and help more patients benefit from these treatments.'
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Addressing the rising burden of diseases
The report noted that Goa faces a growing healthcare challenge, with around 1,500 new cancer cases diagnosed annually, expected to rise by 5% each year. Breast cancer is the most common, accounting for over 300 cases, followed by oral cavity cancer, which makes up 20-25% of total cases.
Rane highlighted the need for a more robust healthcare system to meet the increasing demand for specialized treatments and rare disease management.
Policy framework & implementation
The new pricing policy focuses on proprietary drugs and equipment already procured by the Goa Medical College (GMC) and the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) through standard tenders.
If new patented drugs or devices are required, a committee will review the recommendation and seek approval from the finance department before inclusion.
A committee led by the Additional/Joint Secretary of Health, along with the GMC dean, DHS director, and pharmacy heads, will determine appropriate pricing and negotiate with companies to secure the best rates for patented treatments. Once approved, the finalized list of drugs and equipment will be notified with finance department approval,
TOI
further reported.
This move is expected to ease financial pressure on patients while equipping Goa's healthcare system to better handle the rising incidence of cancer and rare disorders, setting a precedent for other states to follow.