New Delhi: Government has approved a cap on the margins charged for the supply and sale of non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs, limiting them to 30% of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP). The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers expects this measure to reduce medicine prices by up to 70% helping cancer patients save two thousand 5 hundred crore annually.
While essential cancer medicines on the scheduled list are already subject to strict government-set ceiling prices, this new decision extends price protection to non-scheduled cancer medicines by limiting their margins. Once an expert committee under the Directorate General of Health Services finalises the list of medicines to be covered, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) will issue the official notification.
Cancer incidence is rising in India, affecting about 60 people per lakh population. Treatment places a heavy financial burden on patients and their families, who often pay substantial amounts from their own pockets. The Ministry stated that the new cap will curb excessive profiteering, address unfair pricing practices in the market, and ensure fairer prices for patients.
In February 2019, following government direction, the NPPA capped trade margins on 42 selected non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs. This action resulted in a reduction of up to 91% in their Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs). To ensure the continued availability of these life-saving medicines, manufacturers of non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs are required to maintain their current production levels.
[DD News]