Regulatory Body NPPA Brings Down Costs of Essential Drugs for Consumers

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has announced reductions in the retail prices of 41 essential drugs and revised the ceiling prices for seven scheduled formulations. This decision was made during the NPPA's 143rd meeting, held on May 10, by the regulatory body responsible for setting pharmaceutical prices.

According to a notification from the Department of Pharmaceuticals and the NPPA, the price cuts apply to medications for diabetes, body pain, cardiovascular conditions, liver issues, antacids, infections, allergies, multivitamins, and antibiotics. Pharmaceutical companies have been instructed to immediately inform dealers and stockists of the new lower prices. This action aims to ensure that essential medicines remain affordable for consumers.

The revision of ceiling prices is a routine exercise conducted by the NPPA. The drug pricing regulator is responsible for setting and adjusting the prices of pharmaceutical products, enforcing the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), and monitoring the prices of both regulated and unregulated drugs.

According to the NPPA notice, the price of one tablet of Ibuprofen and paracetamol has been reduced to Rs 1.59 from the previous Rs 6 per tablet. The price of dapagliflozin metformin hydrochloride, used for lowering blood glucose by decreasing glucose production in the liver, has been cut from Rs 30 to Rs 16. The cost of budesonide and formoterol combinations for asthma and lung function improvement is now Rs 6.62 per dose.

For blood pressure medication, Hydrochlorothiazide tablets will now be available at Rs 10.45, down from Rs 11.07. The price of ceftazidime and avibactam (as sodium salt) powder for infections has dropped significantly to Rs 1,569.94 from Rs 4,000 per vial.

Antacid antigas gel will now retail at Rs 0.56 per 1 ml, reduced from Rs 2.57. The price of atorvastatin, clopidogrel, and aspirin capsules has been lowered to Rs 13.84 per capsule from Rs 30. Lastly, the cost of Povidone-iodine and ornidazole ointment has been reduced to Rs 4 per 1gm from Rs 70 per 15mg.

India, with over 10 crore diabetes patients, is one of the countries most affected by diabetes. These patients are expected to benefit significantly from the recent price cuts. Last month, the Department of Pharmaceuticals released its annual revised ceiling prices for 923 scheduled drug formulations and updated retail prices for 65 formulations, effective from April 1.

In addition, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has decided to expand the committee overseeing drug and medical device pricing reforms by including more industry participants. The department has invited at least seven industry associations to join the committee, which is responsible for balancing the pricing and availability of essential medicines while providing incentives for industry growth and exports.