New Delhi : The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has cancelled a recent Request for Proposal (RFP) floated to conduct the study on drug pricing policies of different countries, regions and lessons learnt from these countries and regions in terms of access to medicine at affordable prices.
The Authority said that its decision to cancel the RFP is due to “administrative exigencies”. It has asked all the bidders who have submitted their bids to collect their bid documents personally by visiting the Deputy Director of NPPA at the office.
Last month, the Authority floated the RFP, to study the drug price regulatory policy and framework of 10 countries – Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, China, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, USA, Brazil, South Africa and Thailand – and to identify the best practices and lessons learnt from these policies.
The scope of work also included to study the operational implementation of the drug pricing policies in different countries and to identify best practices and lessons learnt. Other policy aspects that impact availability and affordability of medicine in these countries also will be part of the study.
The objective is to understand the drug pricing methodology adopted in the international market and to understand the lessons learnt and best practices from various countries in terms of availability and affordability of medicines.
The reputed firms or research institutions were advised to submit their bid (technical and financial) at 3 pm on February 21, 2022. The last date of seeking clarifications is February 7, while the opening of the financial bid is fixed as March 4, 2022.
Meanwhile, the Authority has fixed retail prices of 19 formulations on certain strengths for manufacturing and marketing companies which have applied for the price fixation, through a notification.
The NPPA has issued a notification, through which it has fixed the retail price of various formulations including Paracetamol+Phenylephrine+Caffiene+Diphenhydramine Tablet, manufactured by Mediforce Healthcare for Mankind Prime Labs, at Rs 3.21 per tablet; Gliclazide ER + Metformin ER tablet manufactured by Ravenbhel Healthcare for Eris Lifesciences at Rs 8.54 per tablet; and Chlorthalidone + Telmisartan + Amlodipine tablet manufactured by Swiss Garnier Genelia Sciences and marketed by USV, at Rs 8.92 per tablet. All the prices fixed are excluding Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Some of the other formulations include Telmisartan + Cilnidipine tablet from Windlass Biotech and USV (Rs 9.66 per tablet); Gliclazide + MetforminHydrochloride (sustained release) from Windlass Biotech and Panacea Biotec Pharma (Rs 8.54 per tablet); Atorvastatin and Clopidogrel capsule from Windlass Biotech and Torrent Pharmaceuticals (Rs 16.70 per capsule); Telmisartan, Cilnidipine and Metoprolol (ER) from Ravenbhel Healthcare and Alkem Laboratories (Rs 10.68 per tablet); Metformin + Glimipride from Associated Biotech marketed by Dales Laboratories (Rs 7.59 per tablet); Atorvastatin and Clopidogrel from Windlas Biotech and Torrent Pharmaceuticals (Rs 12.55 per capsule); and Diclofenac for Pure and Cure Healthcare and Alembic Pharmaceuticals (Rs 6.68 per tablet), among others.
The manufacturer may add GST only if they have paid actually or it is payable to the Government on the retail price fixed by the Authority. In case the retail price of any of these formulations is not complied with, as per instant price notification and notes specified through the notification, then the concerned manufacturer or marketing company shall be liable to deposit the overcharged amount along with the interest under the provision of the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013 read with the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, added the Authority.
