Prices of new cancer drugs fall by more than 96%: MRP rules to control drug rates, what changes from Nov 9 | Today’s news
In a major relief to patients, the government on Monday announced that the maximum retail prices (MRPs) of anti-cancer drugs have been “reduced by up to 96.45%.
Revised maximum retail prices (MRP) of more than 1,000 anti-cancer drugs came into effect on Monday, a move expected to save consumers. ₹3,540.38 crore annually, according to an official release.
The Ministry of Pharmacy said the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has capped the trade margins at the MRP of 137 anti-cancer drugs.
Of the 137 anticancer drugs identified, 10–15 have been launched in India so far. “However, the Trade Margin Rationalization (TMR) will also apply to these drugs once they are launched,” the government said in a statement.
As of November 7, as many as 76 pharmaceutical companies have notified revised MRPs for 1,225 anticancer drugs, which include 121 drugs, the department said.
MRP reductions were reported for 1,031 anticancer drug preparations, with 600 brands reporting more than 50 percent reduction and the highest reduction being 96.45 percent.
Apart from the reduction in MRP, here are some other changes that customers will see:
1. The revised MRP will be printed on the packaging and will be applicable in every pharmacy and hospital from November 9.
2. You can check your cancer price on Pharma Sahi Daam app. No pharmacy or pharmacy can charge more than the price listed in the application or printed on the medicine package.
3. If charged more, person can complain to NPPA through Pharma Sahi Daam app/portal or call 1800-111-255
How to check drug prices online before buying?
One can check the printed pack prices or look up the official rates on Pharma Sahi Daam mobile app or NPPA official website (nppa.gov.in).
Every vendor, dealer, hospital and institution must prominently display the revised MRP list of anti-cancer drugs on their websites and on their premises.
“Under the NPPA notification, state drug controllers will monitor compliance by manufacturers, vendors, hospitals and medical institutions,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Consumers can check the applicable prices through the Pharma Sahi Daam mobile app and the NPPA website (www.nppa.gov.in) and report any non-compliance or violation of the revised prices to the authority,” he added.
Does the pharmacy/chemist charge you more for the medicine? Here’s how to file a complaint when you’re being overcharged
Complaints can be made through the following channels:
E-mail: monitoring-nppa(at)gov(dot)in
Post: Deputy Director, Monitoring, NPPA, 3rd Floor, YMCA Cultural Center Building, 1 Jai Singh Marg, New Delhi – 110001.
