Govt brings 42 non-scheduled cancer drugs under price control

Govt brings 42 non-scheduled cancer drugs under price control

1. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has invoked powers under Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 and brought 42 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs under price control. This will cap trade margin at 30%, which would reduce their retail prices by up to 85%. The trade margin is the difference between the price at which the manufacturers sell to trade and the price that patients pay (maximum retail price).
2. NPPA is an independent body set up in 1997 under Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. Its mandate is to fix/revise controlled bulk drugs prices and formulations, enforce prices and availability of medicines under Drug (Price Control) order, 2013.
3. Functions of NPPA are:(a) To implement and enforce the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (b) Deal with all legal matters arising out of the decisions of the Authority (C) To monitor the availability of drugs, identify shortages and (d)To collect/ maintain data on production, exports and imports, profitability of companies etc, for bulk drugs and formulation.