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Doctors: Budget Boosts Pharma, Ignores Public Health
1 Feb
Summary
- Budget prioritizes pharmaceutical innovation over public health needs.
- Public health spending remains below promised target.
- Non-communicable disease prevention receives minimal funding.
Senior doctors have responded to the Union Budget, acknowledging its emphasis on pharmaceutical innovation and specialist infrastructure. Despite a record allocation of ₹1,05,530 crore to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, concerns persist that public health pillars like affordability and prevention are being sidelined.
Experts note that public health expenditure remains stagnant at approximately 1.8-2% of GDP, significantly below the long-standing goal of 2.5%, with no clear strategy to achieve it.
Additionally, the budget's focus is perceived to be skewed towards industry, tertiary care, and medical tourism. This is compounded by drug prices continuing to rise, with a lack of meaningful regulation on pharmaceutical mark-ups.
A significant mismatch is highlighted between the epidemiological burden of non-communicable diseases, which cause nearly 75% of all deaths in India, and the budgetary allocation. Less than 2% of the health budget is dedicated to their prevention and control, raising alarms about the alignment of financial priorities with public health realities.
