Hospitals, medical stores do not introduce reduced prices on cancer drugs to counter the action

Health, Medical and Family Welfare Minister Satya Kumar Yadav

Health, Medical and Family Welfare Minister Satya Kumar Yadav has directed officials and drug inspectors across the state to conduct inspections to ensure that the revised prices of cancer drugs are implemented.

In October, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) capped trade margins at 30% for 137 non-scheduled cancer drugs, cutting the price of nearly 900 brands of cancer drugs by as much as 70-93%. The revised rates came into effect from November 9.

In this regard, the Minister held a review meeting with Health Minister G. Veerapandian, Drug Control Authority Director General Arun Babu and other officials on Tuesday, November 10, to discuss the measures to be taken.

The minister ordered officials to monitor the availability of medicines, the implementation of revised prices and to intensify inspections in hospitals and health shops. Even medicines with old printed prices should be sold at the revised rates, the minister said, warning of strict action in malpractice cases. He also advised patients not to stockpile medicines as this could lead to shortages.

The minister said hospitals must post the revised price lists supplied by drug manufacturers at their medical counters and on their websites. Hospitals must issue bills to patients containing details such as brand, batch number, maximum retail price (MRP) and amount charged for each drug.

Patient rights and grievance redressal procedures must also be displayed in Telugu and English in hospital pharmacies, cancer wards and day care clinics, the minister said.

Meanwhile, drug inspectors have been instructed to inspect all cancer hospitals within seven days to check whether pharmaceutical manufacturers’ suppliers have received the revised drug price lists.

Medicines must be sold at the lower price between the price shown in the revised price list and the price printed on the package. Charging more than the valid price will not be allowed, the minister said, detailing the steps to be taken by drug inspectors against erring individuals.

Mr. Arun Babu said that patients and hospitals can lodge complaints with the Drug Control Authority on WhatsApp: 8632330909 if cancer drugs are not available, patients are charged more than the adjusted prices or if they are denied drugs. You can also write to them at dca-grams@ap.gov.in.

Published – 10 Nov 2026 20:46 IST