A Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions, chaired by Narain Dass Gupta, has called for sweeping reforms to make cancer care more affordable and accessible across India. In its 163rd report, presented on Wednesday, the panel advocated for standardized cancer diagnostic packages under government-regulated health insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat’s Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), and Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS). The move aims to broaden coverage and enable cashless treatment at empanelled facilities, addressing the soaring costs of cancer care.
The panel urged the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to extend its 30% trade margin cap, currently applied to 42 essential anti-cancer drugs, to include cancer vaccines, immunotherapy, and oral chemotherapy. “This expansion is vital to curb insurer costs and make cancer insurance affordable for more people,” the report stated. It also recommended establishing more cancer hospitals through government funding, private sector involvement, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), emphasizing advanced technology and integration into insurer networks for seamless cashless services.
Highlighting the inadequacy of diagnostic infrastructure, especially in rural areas, the committee proposed setting up dedicated cancer screening centers and integrating screening into PMJAY, CGHS, and ECHS. With only 76.32% of PMJAY’s 68 lakh cancer treatments availed in rural areas, as per Union Health Minister JP Nadda’s March 2025 statement, the panel stressed scaling up the national screening program, particularly in underserved regions. Region-specific awareness campaigns, leveraging NGOs and celebrity cancer survivors, were suggested to combat social stigma and boost early detection.
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The report praised initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), which supplies 289 oncology drugs at 50-80% lower prices through Janaushadhi Kendras, and the Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) pharmacies. However, it noted limited participation from pharmaceutical firms in Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) and urged greater involvement to enhance access to affordable treatments. “PAPs should educate patients about treatment options and government schemes while ensuring adherence,” the panel recommended.
The committee underscored the need for a multi-stakeholder strategy, including insurance providers, banks, and CSR initiatives, to bridge affordability gaps. With India’s cancer burden rising—1.4 million new cases annually, per WHO estimates—the panel’s recommendations aim to create a patient-centric, sustainable cancer care ecosystem. Oncologist Dr. Anil Sharma told X, “Standardized pricing and rural screening are game-changers for equitable care.” The report’s focus on early detection and financial protection aligns with India’s goal of universal health coverage, but implementation challenges, as seen in PMJAY’s rural outreach, remain a concern.
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