New Delhi: India has made significant strides in controlling hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease, thanks to initiatives such as free medication distribution, promotion of generic drugs, and regulatory price controls, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In its Global Report on Hypertension 2025, presented during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, the WHO highlighted India as a successful example of effective pricing and healthcare strategies for managing high blood pressure.
“India’s integrated efforts to improve hypertension treatment — including the National Free Drugs Service Initiative, the widespread adoption of generic medicines, and setting price caps on essential antihypertensive drugs — have led to measurable public health improvements and better blood pressure control,” the WHO stated.
A key element of this progress is the India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI), launched in 2018–2019, which ensures consistent availability of free, quality-assured generic hypertension drugs across public healthcare facilities. The initiative also relies on standardized treatment protocols and a robust medicine procurement framework.
In parallel, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has enforced price ceilings on essential drugs, including antihypertensives, under the Drug Price Control Order and the National List of Essential Medicines — further improving affordability.
The WHO also noted that hypertension medications supplied through public healthcare systems or Jan-Aushadhi generic pharmacies can cost patients up to 80% less annually compared to private sector options, significantly increasing accessibility.
Globally, the report revealed that 1.4 billion people were living with hypertension in 2024, yet only about one in five had their condition effectively managed through medication or lifestyle changes.