Government approves price hike for 4 medicines, including 2 cancer drugs

The four formulations include the platinum-based chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and carboplatin, along with two anti-tetanus injections.

THE CENTRE on Wednesday approved the increase in prices of at least four medicines, including two commonly used chemotherapy drugs, whose shortage across the country was affecting treatment of cancer patients.

“NPPA has sought the approval of the DoP [Department of Pharmaceuticals] … to increase price in respect to four formulations…. In this regard, it is conveyed that the in-principle approval of the Hon’ble Minister … is granted,” said a letter dated June 7 from the DoP to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).

The four formulations include the platinum-based chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and carboplatin, along with two anti-tetanus injections.

These are essential medicines whose prices are controlled by the NPPA under its Drug Prices Control Order 2013. This order essentially allows companies manufacturing these important drugs to raise its price only once a year as per the increases in wholesale prices.

The NPPA has been asked by the DoP to examine the increase in the cost of raw materials for these drugs and align the price increase accordingly. “The increase in raw material data given by the company and assessed by NPPA should form the basis for giving the price increase,” the letter stated, adding that the increase should be guided by previous formula given by a standing committee that the increase should be between 10% and 50% from the last fixation.

The letter by DoP under secretary Aparna also urged the NPPA to examine other cases where the industry has requested for an increase in price.

Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country’s space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University’s Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor’s Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More

THE CENTRE on Wednesday approved the increase in prices of at least four medicines, including two commonly used chemotherapy drugs, whose shortage across the country was affecting treatment of cancer patients.

“NPPA has sought the approval of the DoP [Department of Pharmaceuticals] … to increase price in respect to four formulations…. In this regard, it is conveyed that the in-principle approval of the Hon’ble Minister … is granted,” said a letter dated June 7 from the DoP to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).

The four formulations include the platinum-based chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and carboplatin, along with two anti-tetanus injections.

These are essential medicines whose prices are controlled by the NPPA under its Drug Prices Control Order 2013. This order essentially allows companies manufacturing these important drugs to raise its price only once a year as per the increases in wholesale prices.

The NPPA has been asked by the DoP to examine the increase in the cost of raw materials for these drugs and align the price increase accordingly. “The increase in raw material data given by the company and assessed by NPPA should form the basis for giving the price increase,” the letter stated, adding that the increase should be guided by previous formula given by a standing committee that the increase should be between 10% and 50% from the last fixation.

The letter by DoP under secretary Aparna also urged the NPPA to examine other cases where the industry has requested for an increase in price.