The Centre has revised the prices of 71 important drug formulations, including those used to treat metastatic breast cancer, diabetes, peptic ulcers, and severe infections. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) announced the new prices through a notification. As per the notification, manufacturers may add Goods and Services Tax (GST) only if they have paid or are liable to pay it on the retail price.
Medicines for cancer, ulcers, and infections included
Among the key drugs listed is Trastuzumab, produced by Reliance Life Sciences, used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and gastric cancer. Its price has been fixed at ₹11,966 per vial.
Another drug, a combination of clarithromycin, esomeprazole, and amoxicillin used to treat peptic ulcer disease and manufactured by Torrent Pharmaceuticals, will now cost ₹162.5 per tablet.
A combipack containing ceftriaxone, disodium edetate, and sulbactam powder for treating life-threatening infections has been priced at ₹626 per vial. A similar combination drug from Tyykem, in powder form for infusion, will now cost ₹515.5 per vial.
Antidiabetic formulations also covered
The NPPA notification also includes revised prices for 25 anti-diabetes formulations that contain sitagliptin. It also mentions several antidiabetic combinations containing empagliflozin.
NPPA is the authority that monitors and sets the maximum retail prices of medicines in India to ensure accessibility and affordability.
Retailers must display the revised price list
In February, the NPPA had issued an order asking drug manufacturers to share the updated price lists with dealers, state drug controllers, and the government. This was aimed at ensuring transparency in drug pricing.
“The order to display the price list is to allow citizens to cross-check whether the pharmacies are selling at the price fixed by NPPA or not,” said an official.
The NPPA’s order also stated, “Every retailer and dealer shall display the price list and the supplementary price list, if any, as furnished by the manufacturer, on a conspicuous part of the premises where he carried on business in a manner so as to be easily accessible to any person wishing to consult the same.” The directive also applies to online retail platforms.
