The Government of Goa has joined hands with leading health technology startup Qure.ai and global biopharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca to launch India’s first-ever Innovative Pricing Policy for Lifesaving Therapies, an ambitious step to make breakthrough clinical treatments affordable and accessible for all.

This transformative initiative, driven by Goa’s commitment to equitable healthcare, introduces the Pricing Policy for Innovative Lifesaving Therapies (PPILT)—a value-based and outcome-linked framework that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance public health impact. The policy enables direct negotiations between the state and pharma innovators, allowing prices of essential patented medicines, devices, and diagnostics to be linked with actual patient outcomes, providing flexibility, transparency, and affordability.

Revolutionizing Cancer Care and Early Detection with AI
The program’s launch, beginning with advanced therapies for lung cancer, integrates Qure.ai’s qXR AI-powered chest X-ray screening tool across 18 government hospitals. With more than 75,000 X-rays scanned, the initiative has already flagged thousands of high-risk individuals for timely diagnosis and intervention, ensuring early detection of several cancer cases and reducing the burden of late-stage disease.

AstraZeneca supports the rollout under its Lung Ambition Alliance, focusing on providing free low-dose CT scans for high-risk patients and ensuring seamless access to specialist care, patient tracking, and measuring clinical outcomes.

A Value-Based Approach to Lifesaving Treatments
With therapies for complex conditions like cancer, rare genetic diseases, and autoimmune disorders often costing upwards of ₹50 lakh per patient annually, Goa’s policy sets a new benchmark for sustainable, affordable healthcare. The outcome-based pricing committee, comprising medical, pharmacy, and administrative experts, will negotiate confidential agreements to procure drugs and devices at significantly reduced rates. Treatments that do not achieve expected outcomes could see prices reduced, refunds issued, or alternative clinical options considered—optimizing budgets and patient access.

Setting a Blueprint for India’s Public Healthcare
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane hailed the partnership as “marking a new era focused on helping more patients and building a resilient, equitable health system for Goa.” Industry leaders agree this three-way collaboration is a global example for value-driven innovation, combining technology, research, and public policy.

Looking Ahead
The Pricing Policy for Innovative Lifesaving Therapies will initially cover lung cancer, but is set to expand to other high-cost, rare, and complex medical conditions statewide. The government’s proactive approach demonstrates how cutting-edge AI and smart purchasing power can be harnessed to bring the benefits of research-driven medicine to every citizen—regardless of income or background.