NPPA fixes retail price of 20 formulation drugs

By Shalini Bhardwaj
New Delhi [India], October 16 : The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) on Wednesday fixed the retail price of 20 new drugs under the provisions of the Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO), 2013.
These drugs are used for the treatment of various health-related problems. Bisoprolol and Amlodipine Tablet combination is used to treat blood pressure and Levosalbutamol and Ipratropium Bromide Respules combination helps in relaxing muscles of the airways and makes breathing easier. They are manufactured by Higgs Healthcare and Mankind Prime Labs Pvt Ltd.
Other drugs like Atorvastatin, Aspirin and Clopidogrel Capsule combination manufactured by Surien Pharmaceuticals (P) Ltd./Unison Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. are used to prevent clot formation in the blood vessels. It also helps to reduce increased cholesterol and triglycerides levels. The decision regarding fixed price has been taken in the latest meeting.
The retail price of cefuroxime axetil tablet from Dr Reddy's Laboratories, L- Carnitinr mecobalamin and folic acid tablet from cadila Pharmaceuticals was also fixed.
Recently in a press statement the Union Ministry of Health, NPPA announced the revision of prices of eight scheduled drugs to meet the twin objectives of availability and affordability.
"After detailed deliberations in the full Authority meeting held on 8th October, 2024, invoking extraordinary powers under Para 19 of the DPCO, 2013, and in larger public interest, NPPA has approved increase in the ceiling prices of eleven (11) scheduled formulations of eight (8) drugs by 50% of their current ceiling prices," reads the statement.
It further states, "Most of these drugs are low-cost and generally used as first line treatment crucial to the public health programmes of the country. These drugs are used for treatment of Asthma, Glaucoma, Thalassemia, Tuberculosis, mental health disorders, etc."