NPPA Caps Prices On 9 Key Medications
According to the reports in the media, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has established the maximum retail prices for nine essential drug formulations. Among these, Tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive medication crucial for minimising the risk of organ rejection post-transplant, is now priced at Rs 20.97 for 0.5 mg, Rs 39.98 for 1 mg, and Rs 77.69 for 2 mg.
Additionally, the NPPA has fixed the ceiling price for Co-trimoxazole, a medication used to treat various bacterial infections, at Rs 2.30. The pricing authority has also set the retail price for zinc sulphate tablets (20 mg) at Rs 3.41, the media report added.
According to the latest NPPA order, the ceiling price for Tramadol, a painkiller drug (50 mg), has been revised to Rs 9.70. Furthermore, the price for the anti-cancer drug Temozolomide (20 mg) is now established at Rs 336.63.
The media report further stated that the NPPA's directive states that manufacturers or marketing companies failing to comply with the specified retail prices may be held accountable for depositing the overcharged amount, along with applicable interest, as per the provisions of the DPCO 2013, in conjunction with the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
The order also stipulates that existing manufacturers with a minimum retail price (MRP) lower than the newly set ceiling price must maintain their current MRP, inclusive of goods and services tax, if applicable, in accordance with paragraph 13 (2) of the Drug Price Control Orders (DPCO), 2013.
In a parallel move to ensure the accessibility and affordability of medical implants, the NPPA has extended the ceiling price fixation for orthopaedic knee implants for an additional year until September 15, 2024.
