Expert committee suggests higher pricing for exotic condoms
NEW DELHI: Pleasure, specially the premium kind, will come with a higher price tag in the future if the recommendations of an expert committee set up by India’s drug pricing regulator-National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to deliberate on the prices of condoms, are accepted. NPPA, which has been in news for bringing down prices of drugs, much to the ire of the industry is now in a peculiar situation with the committee suggesting that there should be a differential price for condoms on the basis of additional features.
The committee has recommended that pleasure condoms with features like “exotic flavours”, “texture” etc merit a differential price from that of basic utility condoms which are made with natural rubber latex and lubrication. The NPPA now has to take a decision on the panel’s recommendation.
According to one of the committee’s experts who did not wish to be named, the committee came to the conclusion of differential prices based on the different parameters. “We used a simple philosophy-those which are made of latex and lubricated are essential. On the other hand those which are designed to increase excitement and sensation, providing sensory stimulation, and have flavours should be categorised separately and amounts to separate pricing.”
Condoms have been part of the National List of Essential Medicines from 2003 onwards. Subsequently it was incorporated in the schedule 1 of the Drug Price Control Order 2012 as per the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy (NPPP) after which the NPPA could cap its price. Earlier in November 2013, the NPPA had capped condom prices at ₹6.56 each and this was later increased to ₹8.04 in July 2014.