New Delhi: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, has issued four price-related notifications dated November 2, 2026, covering the fixation and revision of retail and ceiling prices of pharmaceutical formulations under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013.
The notifications include fixation of retail prices for 34 new drug formulations, revision of the retail price of Cholecalciferol tablets, revision of the ceiling price of Oxaliplatin injection and correction of the per-gram retail price of Diclofenac, Methyl Salicylate and Menthol gel manufactured by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
The decisions are significant for pharmaceutical manufacturers, marketing companies, wholesalers, retailers and patients, as they establish or revise the permissible prices at which the specified formulations can be sold in the domestic market.
According to Pharmabiz, the retail-price decisions were considered at the NPPA Authority’s 285th overall meeting, which was also its 153rd meeting under the DPCO, held on October 29, 2026. The Authority considered applications submitted by individual manufacturers for price fixation of new drug formulations.
1. Retail prices fixed for 34 new drug formulations under S.O. 5998(E)
Under S.O. 5998(E), dated November 2, 2026, the NPPA has fixed retail prices for 34 pharmaceutical formulations under paragraphs 5, 11 and 15 of the DPCO, 2013. The prices are exclusive of GST and apply to the specified manufacturers and marketing companies.
The formulations cover several therapeutic categories, including cardiovascular medicines, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, ophthalmic preparations, gastrointestinal medicines, chemotherapy drugs, nutritional supplements, hormonal medicines and pain-relief formulations.
The price fixation covers medicines used in several important areas of treatment.
Gemcitabine injection, priced at ₹5,623.07 per vial, is an important chemotherapy formulation. Methotrexate oral solution, priced at ₹12.70 per ml, is used in the treatment of certain cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, as well as other conditions.
The cardiovascular category includes combinations of rosuvastatin, aspirin and clopidogrel, which are used for cardiovascular risk management, and combinations of bisoprolol, telmisartan and cilnidipine for hypertension management.
The notifications also cover antibiotic combinations and combikits containing clarithromycin, vonoprazan and amoxicillin, used in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori-associated infections and related gastrointestinal conditions.
Other important formulations include paracetamol injection, ondansetron orally disintegrating strips, methotrexate solution, carbimazole tablets, moxifloxacin eye drops and various anti-inflammatory combinations.
The inclusion of these formulations under price fixation is particularly relevant because it brings specified new formulations within the price-control framework at the time of their launch.
2. Cholecalciferol 7,000 IU tablets fixed at ₹8.93 per tablet under S.O. 5999(E)
In a separate notification, S.O. 5999(E), dated November 2, 2026, the NPPA has fixed the retail price of Cholecalciferol tablets containing 7,000 IU of Vitamin D3.
The notification specifically identifies this formulation as a new drug under paragraph 2(1)(u) of the DPCO, 2013. The specified manufacturer and marketing company cannot sell it above the notified retail price, subject to the applicable statutory and licensing requirements.
The manufacturer must calculate the pack price in accordance with paragraph 11 of the DPCO, issue the prescribed Form-V price list and submit it to the NPPA through IPDMS, with copies to the State Drug Controller and dealers.
Retailers and dealers are also required to display the price list prominently at their business premises.
3. Oxaliplatin injection ceiling price revised to ₹2,285.84 under S.O. 6001(E)
The NPPA has also issued S.O. 6001(E), dated November 2, 2026, revising the ceiling price of Oxaliplatin injection, an important anticancer medicine used in chemotherapy.
The revised price is as follows:
Oxaliplatin injection – 5 mg/ml in 10 ml vial
Previous ceiling price ₹2,287.59
Revised ceiling price ₹2,285.84
Per 10 ml vial, exclusive of applicable GST. Reduction: ₹1.75 per vial.
The revision has been made pursuant to the Department of Pharmaceuticals’ review order No. 31015/39/2023-Pricing (E-23351), dated March 30, 2026, under paragraph 31 of the DPCO, 2013.
The NPPA has considered the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) impact of 0.64956% for 2026 while notifying the revised ceiling price.
The earlier notification, S.O. 1575(E), dated March 25, 2026 (Sl. No. 562), has been superseded.
4. Sun Pharma’s Diclofenac combination gel retail price fixed at ₹6.25 per gram under S.O. 6002(E)
Through S.O. 6002(E), dated November 2, 2026, the NPPA has issued a corrigendum to its earlier notification S.O. 5638(E), dated November 2, 2018, relating to retail price fixation.
The corrigendum revises the entry at serial number 35 and specifies the following formulation:
| Particulars | Details |
| Formulation | Diclofenac + Methyl + Menthol Gel |
| Diclofenac Diethylamine BP | 2.32% w/w (equivalent to Diclofenac Sodium 2% w/w) |
| Methyl Salicylate IP | 10% w/w |
| Menthol IP | 5% w/w |
| Manufacturer | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. |
| Unit | 1 gram |
| Notified retail price | ₹6.25 per gram |
The notification also deletes entries at serial numbers 36, 51 and 52 from the original 2018 notification.
Importantly, all other notes and provisions of the original notification relating to serial number 35 will remain unchanged.
This decision follows the NPPA Authority’s consideration of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries’ request for a per-gram retail price for its Diclofenac 2% gel formulation, enabling the company to market the formulation in different pack sizes.
According to the related industry report, the existing notified prices for 10 g, 15 g, 20 g and 30 g packs corresponded to ₹6.25 per gram. The revised entry provides a uniform per-gram pricing basis rather than restricting the company to specified pack sizes.
5. Important implications of the four NPPA notifications
The four notifications collectively demonstrate the NPPA’s continuing role in regulating prices of both scheduled and non-scheduled formulations under the DPCO, 2013.
An important aspect of the November 2 decisions is the application of the amended DPCO framework, particularly the Drugs (Prices Control) Amendment Order, 2026, which came into force on July 1, 2026.
As reported by Pharmabiz, the NPPA clarified that, under the amended provisions, the worked-out price will henceforth be notified as the retail price for new drugs covered by the relevant provisions, rather than automatically adopting the lower claimed price submitted by the applicant.
However, manufacturers remain free to launch their formulations at a price below the notified retail price.
Under S.O. 5998(E), any other existing manufacturer launching the same formulation, strength and dosage within 12 months of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette may launch it at a price not exceeding the notified price, subject to filing Form-IA through IPDMS 2.0, along with supporting documents, within one month of launch.
The relevant requirements include:
- The notified retail prices are exclusive of GST. GST can be added only where it has actually been paid or is payable to the Government.
- Manufacturers must calculate pack prices according to paragraph 11 of the DPCO, 2013.
- Form-V price lists must be issued from the date of notification and submitted to NPPA through IPDMS.
- Copies of the price lists must be supplied to State Drug Controllers and dealers.
- Retailers and dealers must display the price lists prominently for public inspection.
- Overcharging beyond the notified prices can result in recovery of the excess amount along with interest under the DPCO, 2013 and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
The notifications therefore place compliance responsibilities not only on manufacturers and marketing companies but also on the distribution and retail trade.
