Prices of 100 medicine packs revised

National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has revised the prices of 100 domestically manufactured medicine packs in its monthly price review meeting held on June 28. The authority did not consider the price revision of any imported medicine.

The drugs whose prices were revised include the first price fixation of certain combination medicines such as commonly prescribed combiflam, a combination of Ibuprofen and paracetamol. A 15-tablet strip of combiflam would now carry a maximum retail price, inclusive of all taxes, of Rs 12.37. Other medicine packs whose prices have come under review include human insulin, ranitidine and salbutamol. In a July 1 notification, the apex medicine price regulator said it had also reviewed the prices of three bulk drugs (key raw materials) after a gap of three years. The prices reviewed are those of bulk drugs cefadroxyl monohydrate (from Rs 2758/kg to Rs 2951/kg), metronidazole (from Rs 526/kg to Rs 514/kg) and metronidazole benzoate (from Rs 447/kg to Rs 450/kg).

Drug companies marketing these products would have to revise their prices within 15 days from the date of notification. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority would consider imported medicines in its next meeting which is likely this month.