Hyderabad:In a major relief for cancer patients, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has capped trade margins on 137 non‑scheduled anti‑cancer drugs at 30 per cent of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), a move expected to reduce prices by up to 70 per cent. The revised prices will take effect from November 9.
The order covers widely used oncology medicines including Atezolizumab, Bevacizumab, Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab, Osimertinib, Trastuzumab and Palbociclib. The cap applies to all strengths, dosage forms and routes of administration, including combination formulations.
Manufacturers must calculate revised MRPs allowing a trade margin of up to 30 per cent plus applicable GST. Products already priced below the ceiling will retain their existing MRP. Companies must submit revised price details to NPPA and the State Drug Controller within seven days of the Gazette notification, issued on Saturday, even if there is no change. Retailers, dealers, hospitals and medical institutions have been asked to prominently display the revised price lists.
The NPPA said excessive mark‑ups between manufacturer’s sale price and consumer MRP were imposing catastrophic out‑of‑pocket costs on cancer patients and families. The decision follows a Health Ministry expert committee’s recommendation of the 137 drugs for trade margin rationalisation.
The move expands the 2019 pilot under which margins on 42 anti‑cancer drugs were capped, reducing MRPs of 526 brands by up to 90 per cent and generating estimated annual savings of ₹984 crore. Officials expect the latest intervention to yield annual savings of about ₹2,500 crore. Non‑compliant manufacturers will be liable to deposit overcharged amounts with interest under the Drugs Prices Control (Amendment) Order, 2013 and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
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