 "Prices of 18 drugs slashed by up to 23%")
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revised the ceiling price of 18 more drugs, soon after the last round of changes. The latest move will mean reduction in price of up to 23 per cent for the 18 drugs.
Of the 18 drugs, 10 have been part of the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), 2011 and 2015. Another eight are drugs that are coming under price control for the first time, as they have now been included in the list of essential medicines.
The drugs that have come under price revision now are for chemotherapy, treating malaria and epilepsy, among others.
In July, 123 medicines were brought under drug price control.
A total of around 900 drugs are part of the NLEM, 2015.
Last month, Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilisers Ananth Kumar had said the government was mulling providing more than 50 essential drugs, including those used in treatment of cancer and AIDS, at cheaper rates to a large section of the population.
The latest price revision comes at a time when the industry is rebelling against price fixation. Around 70 per cent of the cases of price revision have been challenged by companies at the level of the department of pharmaceuticals (DoP), according to industry estimate. While industry protests these pricing restrictions, NPPA is pushing the DoP to amend the Drug Pricing Control Order to give more room for the NPPA to regulate prices.
Of the 18 drugs, 10 have been part of the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), 2011 and 2015. Another eight are drugs that are coming under price control for the first time, as they have now been included in the list of essential medicines.
The drugs that have come under price revision now are for chemotherapy, treating malaria and epilepsy, among others.
In July, 123 medicines were brought under drug price control.
A total of around 900 drugs are part of the NLEM, 2015.
Last month, Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilisers Ananth Kumar had said the government was mulling providing more than 50 essential drugs, including those used in treatment of cancer and AIDS, at cheaper rates to a large section of the population.
The latest price revision comes at a time when the industry is rebelling against price fixation. Around 70 per cent of the cases of price revision have been challenged by companies at the level of the department of pharmaceuticals (DoP), according to industry estimate. While industry protests these pricing restrictions, NPPA is pushing the DoP to amend the Drug Pricing Control Order to give more room for the NPPA to regulate prices.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%