The need to advance the policy-making process through coordination between the government and concerned stakeholders

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu: Member organizations of the Medicine, Health Services, and Health Materials Concern Committee today held a united protest against the report recently submitted to the government by the Medicine Price Policy Recommendation Committee formed by the Ministry of Health and Population. Wearing black bands over their mouths, they staged a silent sit-in demanding the cancellation of the report and warned that it could cause a serious crisis in future medicine management.

The sit-in is taking place at the premises of the Department of Drug Administration in Kathmandu from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Similar silent sit-in programs are also being held at branch offices of the Department of Drug Administration in Biratnagar, Birgunj, and Nepalgunj.

Main Point of the Protest
Representatives of the nine participating organizations in the sit-in stated that the report from the Medicine Price Policy Recommendation Committee is not service-user oriented. They expressed dissatisfaction that the report was prepared without any consultation with organizations directly involved in the production, import, and distribution of medicines.

Mahesh Pradhan, president of the Nepal Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, told Nepal Health News, "If this report is implemented, there will be no guarantee that service users will get quality, effective, and essential medicines on time. Such a painful situation must not be allowed to occur." He demanded the immediate cancellation of the report and stressed the need to prepare a new report including suggestions from concerned stakeholders.

Impact of the Report and Concerns
According to the participating organizations, the report neither encourages medicine producers, importers, distributors, nor service users. On the contrary, it risks discouraging all parties. Therefore, if such a report is implemented, the medicine supply chain itself could face a crisis.

Message of the Black Band
The style of the protest attracted special attention. All participants wore black bands over their mouths and gave a silent sit-in. The symbolic message was—"The government has not listened to our voices, so we are forced to remain silent." This protest was presented as a peaceful but powerful message.

Demands and Future Plans
During the sit-in, the committee clearly demanded the immediate cancellation of the Medicine Price Policy Recommendation Committee’s report. They also demanded that coordination and collection of suggestions from stakeholders must be made mandatory in medicine policy-making.

If these demands are not addressed, further struggle programs will be announced. According to a participating representative, "This is only the beginning; if ignored, we will announce stronger movement programs."

Organizations Participating in the Sit-in

• Nepal Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association

• Nepal Pharmaceutical Traders Association

• Nepal Pharmaceutical Importers Association

• Nepal Medical Association

• Nepal Veterinary Pharmaceutical Traders Association

• Chemical and Medical Supplies Association

• Nepal Ayurveda Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association

• Association of Private Health Institutions Nepal (APHiN)

• Nepal Pharmaceutical Wholesale Traders Association

Conclusion
The Medicine Price Policy Recommendation Committee’s report is currently at the center of debate in the pharmaceutical sector. On one hand, the government appears to support affordable pricing for service consumers, while on the other, pharmaceutical traders, producers, and distributors argue that the report could adversely affect the quality and accessibility of medicines. Hence, there is an increasing need for the government and stakeholders to coordinate and advance the policy-making process together.