Consultative workshop on medicine pricing regulation held

11-12 November | Nagarkot, Kathmandu province - The Department of Drug Administration (DDA), Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), and WHO Country Office for Nepal held a two-day workshop on medicine price regulation in Nepal with the goal to improve affordable access to essential medicines and reduce financial strain on households. This workshop brought together officials from the DDA, MoHP, pharmaceutical associations and academia to discuss challenges in medicine pricing and affordability, including price variation across public and private sectors and inconsistent pricing in public facilities. Stakeholders reviewed WHO-recommended price regulation methods and international best practices, strengthening their understanding of implementing effective price policies in Nepal.

Participants recommended to:

1. regularly update the Maximum Retail Price (MRP),
2. revise MRP procedures,
3. develop a national database for medicine price and
4. strengthen market monitoring.

WHO will continue to support the MoHP to improve access to essential medicines which is fundamental to achieving Universal Health Coverage.