NEW DELHI: Prices of several essential drugs used to treat conditions such as asthma, glaucoma, thalassaemia, tuberculosis and mental health disorders, are expected to rise, as govt has approved a 50% increase in their ceiling price.
Regarding the reason behind the decision, the govt, in a statement on Monday, said, “The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has been receiving applications from manufacturers for an upward revision of prices, citing various reasons such as increased costs of active pharmaceutical ingredients, rising production costs, changes in exchange rates, and more, which have resulted in the unviability of sustainable production and marketing of drugs.Companies have also applied for the discontinuation of some formulations due to their unviability.”
“After detailed deliberations held on Oct 8, invoking extraordinary powers under Para 19 of DPCO-2013, and in larger public interest, NPPA has approved increase in the ceiling prices of 11 scheduled formulations of eight drugs by 50% of their current ceiling prices,” it added.
The eight drug formulations for which ceiling prices have been revised are: Benzyl Penicillin 10 lakh IU injection; Atropine injection 06.mg/ml; Streptomycin powder for injection 750mg and 1000mg; Salbutamol tablet 2mg and 4mg and respirator solution 5mg/ml; Pilocarpine 2% drops; Cefadroxil tablet 500mg, Desferrioxamine 500mg for injection; and Lithium tablets 300mg.
Most of these drugs are low-cost and generally used as first-line treatment crucial to public health programmes. “The price revision is unlikely to impact patients significantly as most of these drugs are available for free to them at govt hospitals and through public health initiatives meant to provide free treatment,” said a senior official.
NPPA had exercised its powers in 2019 and 2021 to increase the prices of 21 and nine formulations, respectively, by 50% to ensure continued availability of essential drugs for the public.