Reduction in cost of medical devices welcome

While the budget 2017 evokes a positive response from various sectors, it is lukewarm as far as the healthcare sector is concerned. The Aadhar card containing health details for senior citizens is a good initiative, however. The reduction of cost of medical devices is a welcome change too, because this is what we need to boost the make-in-India initiative, enable reduction in import duty and reach out to a larger number of people. India is the only country where the drugs prices are controlled; the same drugs cost more in the U.S. 

However, there are many drugs that are still out of reach for the common man. Pharma companies will have to deal with competitive pricing as the union budget encourages the use of generic drugs. Women have been given a lot of importance this year. The Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY), the Centre’s key maternity benefit program, which targets pregnant and lactating women, which has gone up from Rs 400 crore in 2016-17 to R s21,000 crore in the new fiscal year. I feel it is a progressive budget with ample focus on women, youth and lower middle class segments. Implementation is key now; ample funds have been allocated but need to be distributed well. It is a big step towards a better economy.

— Dr. Kamini Rao, Medical Director, Milann