NPPA Data Shows Cancer Drugs Now 87 Per Cent Cheaper, Thanks To Government’s Decision To Cap Trade Margin

According to data released by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), the prices of non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs has come down by up to 87 per cent following the government’s decision to cap the trade margin on such medicines.

“The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, today put out list of 390 anti-cancer non-scheduled medicines with MRP reduction up to 87 per cent. The revised prices would come into effect from 8th March, 2019,” said a government release.

On 27 February 2019 NPPA had restricted the trade margin of 42 anti-cancer drugs to 30 per cent and manufacturers and hospitals were directed to convey the revised MRPs to consumers.

Following this, the prices of 390 brands selling these 42 formulations showed a downward price movement. These brands represent 91 per cent of the 426 brands being sold in the market.

Immense Savings

“The average out of pocket expenditure for cancer patients is 2.5 times that for other diseases. This move is expected to benefit 22 lakh cancer patients in the country and would result in annual savings of approx. Rs. 800 crores to the consumers,” added the government release.

The regulator has also asked the manufacturers of these 42 drugs not to reduce production volumes of their respective brands.