Guwahati: As many as 84 medication formulations used to treat various disorders have had their retail pricing set by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).
According to a notification from the regulatory organisation under the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, pharmaceutical enterprises must rigorously adhere to the regulated rates; otherwise, they risk being forced to pay the overcharged sum plus interest.
Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal diseases, as well as medications used to lower triglyceride levels in the blood to prevent heart attack and stroke, are among the prescription formulations whose costs have been fixed.
Atorvastatin and Fenofibrate tablets are priced at Rs 13.87 a pill and are offered by Cipla and Pure & Care Healthcare. Patients who have diabetes and heart issues utilise the medication.
Olmesartan plus Medoxomil plus Amlodipine plus Hydrochlorothiazide, a combination similarly used to treat heart and blood pressure disorders, has a set retail price of Rs 12.91 per pill. German Remedies Pharmaceuticals and Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. both market the medication.
A single pill of Voglibose and (SR) Metformin Hydrochloride will cost Rs 10.47, excluding GST, according to the regulation.
The cost of paracetamol and caffeine per tablet has also been set at Rs 2.88. Additionally, the cost of a single capsule of rosuvastatin, aspirin, and clopidogrel has been set at Rs 13.91.
According to CNBC-TV18, the NPPA ordered the medicine manufacturers to submit a price list using the Integrated Pharmaceutical Database Management System (IPDMS). It allegedly said that the state drug regulators should also receive a copy of the same.
The news channel quoted the order as stating “, “According to para. 24(4) of DPCO 2013, every retailer and dealer shall display price list and the supplementary price list, if any, as furnished by the manufacturer, on a conspicuous part of the premises where he conducts business in a manner so as to be easily accessible to any person wishing to consult the same.”
The new ceiling price for liquid medical oxygen and oxygen inhalation (medical gas), according to a separate notification from the NPPA, has been extended through September 30 of this year.
Notably, the NPPA is tasked with fixing or revising the costs of formulations and restricted bulk pharmaceuticals, as well as with enforcing drug costs and availability throughout the nation. In order to maintain low drug prices, it also keeps an eye on their costs.