Central scheme of free drugs gets a quiet burial

It was in 2012 that the Centre first promised to provide free drugs in public health facilities. The first budgetary provision was made in 2013. Last year, the promise was crystallized to providing 348 essential drugs free. This was later whittled down to just 50...

Parliamentary panel parroted tobacco industry’s words

Barely days after the cancellation of the April 1 deadline for tobacco firms to stamp health warnings over 85% of cigarette packs, the Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (ASSOCHAM) came out firmly in support of the parliamentarian who headed the committee which...

T N Ninan: Don’t subsidise, build

Most relatively well-off Indians have got used to the idea of taking out medical insurance policies in order to take care of possible health episodes. It has been a rapidly growing business, doubling in four or five years. The annual insurance premium was estimated...