The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed the retail prices of 39 new drug formulations used to treat a range of conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, infections, eye ailments, pain, cancer, HIV, epilepsy and Vitamin D deficiency.
The prices have been fixed under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO-2013). Under the order, the maximum retail price (MRP) of these medicines cannot exceed the price fixed by the NPPA. GST, wherever applicable, may be charged separately over and above the fixed price.
The retail prices have been determined on a per-tablet, per-capsule, per-millilitre, or per-vial basis, depending on the formulation.
Among the key medicines covered are combinations of Amlodipine, Telmisartan, Bisoprolol, Nebivolol and Olmesartan for blood pressure; Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin, Sitagliptin, Metformin and Glimepiride for diabetes; Amoxicillin with Clavulanate for infections; Aspirin, Atorvastatin and Clopidogrel combinations for heart disease; ophthalmic solutions for eye conditions; Imatinib oral solution for cancer; and a Darunavir, Ritonavir and Dolutegravir kit for HIV. Tenecteplase injection, used in the treatment of stroke and heart attack, is also included.
Some of the fixed retail prices include Rs 12.03 per tablet for Amlodipine, Telmisartan and Metoprolol tablets, Rs 27.31 per tablet for Amoxicillin and Clavulanate dispersible tablets, Rs 3.67 per capsule for Aspirin and Atorvastatin capsules, Rs 19.30 per tablet for Dapagliflozin and Telmisartan tablets, Rs 15.88 per millilitre for Vitamin D3 oral solution and Rs 60,238.27 per vial for Tenecteplase 50 mg injection.
The price fixation is expected to make essential medicines more affordable and improve access for patients while increasing transparency in the pharmaceutical market.
The NPPA said pharmaceutical companies cannot charge more than the notified price. Any company launching the same new medicine within the next 12 months must market it at the fixed price or lower. Companies are also required to submit prescribed information and price lists on the NPPA portal within the stipulated timeframe. Violations may result in recovery of the excess amount charged along with interest under the DPCO-2013 and the Essential Commodities Act.