NPPA raises prices of six drugs

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) today said it had increased prices of six drugs, including anti-asthmatic and pain killers.

At the same time, the authority has also cut prices of 29 other drugs, following a meeting of the NPPA last week, which reviewed prices of 59 formulations for treating ailments like diabetes, allergy and asthma, along with pain killers.

“Of the 59 formulations considered, there is increase in prices of only six, while there has been a decrease in the prices of 29 formulations,” NPPA Chairman S M Jharwal said.

The companies that would be affected by the price revision of drugs include Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Novartis, Sanofi Aventis, GSK, Aventis Pharma and Cipla, the NPPA said.

Aventis Pharma’s pain killer Novalgin will now cost Rs 27.52 for 30 ml vial, compared to Rs 22.28 earlier. However, 500 mg tablets of the same drug will come cheaper, at Rs 7.01, compared to Rs 7.28 before.

The price of Novartis India’s Vitalux plus TR tablets which is indicated for maximising vision and health of the eye, was reduced from Rs 256.91 to Rs 247.39 for a pack of 30 tablets.

Similarly, Cipla’s anti-asthmatic Asthalin syrup, which cost Rs 11.80 per 100 ml, will now be priced at Rs 12.98.

Jharwal said prices of 24 formulations had been left unchanged, adding that the effect of the price increase would be minimal.

The increase in prices follows NPPA’s decision to raise the rates of three bulk drugs.