Eight common medicines are set to get costlier as the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has approved price increase for 11 scheduled formulations of these medicines by 50 percent of their current ceiling price.
The common medicines are prescribed for various medical issues like Asthma, Glaucoma, Thalassemia, Tuberculosis, mental health disorders like Bipolar Disorder. In a statement issued by the Health Ministry, the drug pricing authority said that the decision has been taken after it received applications from manufacturers for upward revision of prices citing various reasons.
“The mandate of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) is to ensure availability of essential drugs at affordable prices and ensuring affordability without jeopardizing access to such medicines. The essential drugs must remain available to address the public health needs of the country and their price regulation should not lead to a situation where these drugs become unavailable in the market,” the Ministry stated.
NPPA has been receiving applications from the manufacturers for upward revision of prices citing various reason like increased cost of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients; increase in the cost of production; change in exchange rate etc.; resulting in unviability in sustainable production and marketing of drugs. Companies have also applied for discontinuation of some of the formulations on account of their unviability, the Ministry revealed.
“After detailed deliberations in the full Authority meeting held on 8th October, 2024, invoking extraordinary powers under Para 19 of the DPCO, 2013, and in larger public interest, NPPA has approved increase in the ceiling prices of eleven (11) scheduled formulations of eight (8) drugs by 50% of their current ceiling prices. Most of these drugs are low-cost and generally used as first line treatment crucial to the public health programmes of the country. These drugs are used for treatment of Asthma, Glaucoma, Thalassemia, Tuberculosis, mental health disorders, etc.,” it added.
Formulations for which Ceiling prices have been revised include: Benzyl Penicillin 10 lakh IU injection; Atropine injection 06.mg/ml; Streptomycin powder for injection 750 mg and 1000 mg; Salbutamol tablet 2 mg and 4 mg and respirator solution 5 mg/ml; Pilocarpine 2% drops; Cefadroxil tablet 500 mg, Desferrioxamine 500 mg for injection; and Lithium tablets 300 mg.
Earlier such extraordinary powers have been invoked by NPPA in 2019 and in 2021 whereby price of 21 and 9 formulations respectively were increased by 50% so as to ensure continued availability of essential drugs for the public, it added.
In another Gazzette notification, the drug pricing regulator fixed the retail price of 20 new drugs under the provisions of the Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO), 2013.
These drugs are used for the treatment of various health-related problems. Bisoprolol and Amlodipine Tablet combination is used to treat blood pressure and Levosalbutamol and Ipratropium Bromide Respules combination helps in relaxing muscles of the airways and makes breathing easier. They are manufactured by Higgs Healthcare and Mankind Prime Labs Pvt Ltd.
Other drugs like Atorvastatin, Aspirin and Clopidogrel Capsule combination manufactured by Surien Pharmaceuticals (P) Ltd./Unison Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. are used to prevent clot formation in the blood vessels. It also helps to reduce increased cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Reportedly, decision regarding fixed price has been taken in the latest meeting.
The retail price of cefuroxime axetil tablet from Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, L- Carnitinr mecobalamin and folic acid tablet from cadila Pharmaceuticals was also fixed.
“In case the retail price of any of the aforesaid formulations is not complied with, as per instant price notification and notes specified hereinabove, then the concerned manufacturer/marketing company shall be liable to deposit the overcharged amount along with the interest thereon under the provisions of the DPCO, 2013 read with the Essential Commodities Act, 1955,” NPPA said in the notification.
