The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has announced a significant revision in the ceiling prices of essential drugs used to treat conditions such as asthma, tuberculosis (TB), and glaucoma. In a meeting held on October 8, the NPPA approved a 50 per cent hike in the ceiling prices of eleven scheduled formulations across eight drugs, which are critical for first-line treatment in public health programs.
The decision marks a notable shift in the pricing structure for these drugs, which are often considered low-cost and widely used. Among the key drugs affected are Atropine injection (0.6 mg/ml), commonly used to treat bradycardia (slow heart rate), and Streptomycin powder for injection (750 mg and 1000 mg formulations), a frontline treatment for TB. In the realm of asthma management, the price ceiling for Salbutamol, a frequently prescribed bronchodilator, was increased in tablet forms of 2 mg and 4 mg, as well as in the respirator solution formulation (5 mg/ml).
Other essential medications that saw price revisions include Pilocarpine (2 per cent drops), used to reduce intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients; Cefadroxil (500 mg tablets), an antibiotic prescribed for urinary tract infections (UTI); Deferoxamine (500 mg for injection), a drug vital for managing iron overload in thalassemia patients; and Lithium (300 mg tablets), widely used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
The NPPA’s decision comes in response to repeated applications from pharmaceutical manufacturers, who cited rising costs of production as a key factor behind their requests for price revisions. A significant increase in the costs of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)—the key components used to produce these drugs—along with fluctuations in exchange rates, were among the factors driving the need for higher price ceilings. Companies argued that the increasing costs had made it financially unsustainable to continue manufacturing and marketing these essential drugs under the existing price controls.
In its official statement, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare acknowledged the economic pressures faced by drug manufacturers but underscored the importance of maintaining the availability of these essential medicines. "These drugs are critical to the public health programs of the country, and any disruption in their availability could have serious consequences. It is vital that price regulation mechanisms do not result in shortages of essential drugs," the ministry said.
The NPPA has previously invoked similar powers to adjust drug prices, with upward revisions implemented in 2019 and 2021. In those years, the prices of 21 and 9 drug formulations, respectively, were increased by 50 per cent to ensure continued access to essential treatments for the public. The ministry emphasised that the latest move was necessary to prevent any further disruptions in the supply chain of these life-saving medications.
The revised pricing is expected to stabilise the production and supply of the affected drugs, which are central to the country’s public health objectives. Given the rising demand for first-line treatments in conditions such as TB and asthma, the new ceiling prices will help manufacturers sustain operations while ensuring that the drugs remain available to patients across India.
This latest decision highlights the ongoing balance that authorities must maintain between cost regulation and ensuring that essential medicines remain accessible and affordable to the population. The NPPA’s proactive step in adjusting drug prices aims to safeguard public health, particularly in light of the increased financial challenges faced by the pharmaceutical sector.
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