The National Drug Pricing Regulator (NPPA) has capped the price of medical oxygen cylinders and liquid medical oxygen for six months, the government announced recently.

The move aims to ensure availability of medical oxygen in the country at a reasonable price amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The present situation of COVID-19 has resulted in increased demand of medical oxygen up to almost four times from 750 MT per day to around 2,800 MT per day, a statement from the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers was quoted saying by a PTI report.

The issue related to availability, including pricing of oxygen, has been under the continued consideration of Empowered Group 2, Government of India. It recommended the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to consider capping the ex-factory price of liquid medical oxygen in order to ensure its supply to fillers at reasonable prices, it added.

Also read: Covid-19: India receives 4,475 Oxygen Concentrators from Singapore

The Empowered Group 2 also requested NPPA to consider a cap for ex-factory price of oxygen in cylinders in order to ensure supply of oxygen cylinders from fillers at reasonable prices, the Ministry said.

In a tweet, Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers D V Sadananda Gowda said, “Government is committed to ensure availability of oxygen during #COVID19.@nppa_india price cap will address challenge of transporting oxygen to distant and interior districts”.

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