The Centre said prices of 522 scheduled medicines were fixed for the first time in the year 2006-07 and have risen at a comparatively slower rate than the general commodities.

While in 2005-06, prices of 480 scheduled drugs were fixed for the first time, it was 522 in FY06-07, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers B K Handuque informed Lok Sabha in a written reply.

In 2006-07, prices of 131 scheduled medicines were increased while that of 340 were decreased, he said.

Prices of medicines have risen at a lesser rate than prices of general commodities, although the wholesale price index for the year 2006-07 has not been finalised, he added.

In 2005-06, percentage of change in WPI for drugs and medicines was 4.10 against 4.41 for all commodities, the minister said.

The basket for price control of drugs would be the essential medicines as contained in the National List of Essential Medicines, 2003, in addition to the 74 drugs, which are at present under price control under the Drugs Price Control Order, 1995.

This was in keeping with the directions of the Supreme Court and in line with the objective of the UPA government in the Common Minimum Programme to make available life saving and essential drugs at reasonable prices to the poor, said the minister.