[e-drug] News item from The Hindu from 50 years ago

["Bev" <bev@burnet.edu.au>]

E-DRUG: News item from The Hindu from 50 years ago
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Most parts of the answer were known 50 years ago  - A news item from The Hindu (a national newspaper in India) from 50 years ago.

 *QUOTE*

dated April 28, 1957: Cost of medical treatment 

Mr. Morarji Desai, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, has 
emphasised the need for reducing the cost of medical treatment to the 
common man and for maintaining a proper quality in respect of the drugs 
manufactured. Addressing the inaugural meeting of the reconstituted 
Development Council for Pharmaceuticals and Drugs in New Delhi on April 
26, he said that one way of reducing the cost of medical treatment was 
by drawing up a national formulary. The Government had already taken 
steps in this direction. The Minister said once this formulary was ready 
the Council should ensure the co-operation of the industry in making the 
medical preparations available at very reasonable prices to the public 
by not charging on them promotion and advertisement expenses which 
seemed to largely boost the prices.

*UNQUOTE*

 
And where are we now in India, other parts of the developing world and 
the developed world.
A list (formulary), affordable and adequate quality?
What comments from e-drug India readers?

Answers in 2 paragraphs of not more than 5 sentences each please!

Dr Krisantha Weerasuriya
Essential Drugs and Other Medicines (EDM)
WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO),
World Health House, New Delhi, 110 002, INDIA.
Phone +91 11 2330 9314
Mobile +91 98104 16366
Fax +91 11 2337 8510
Email: weerasuriyak@searo.who.int