NPPA increases prices of over 800 essential drugs

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has increased the prices of over 800 essential drugs, including amoxicillin, azithromycin, BCG vaccine, cetirizine, chloroquine, ibuprofen, measles vaccine, metformin, paracetamol, ranitidine, etc with effect from today.

The ceiling prices, inclusive of Wholesale Price Index (WPI) at 10.76 per cent for the year 2021 over 2020, are applicable with effect from today, NPPA notified in a statement.

The statement also said that in respect of formulation where pack-wise ceiling price is notified, for any other pack size manufactured, the manufacturer shall approach NPPA under para 11 (3) of DPCO, 2013 for specific price approval for it formulations.

In respect of any other scheduled formulation, for which ceiling price is not mentioned above, the manufacturer shall approach NPPA for specific price approval for its formulations, it further said.

It also mentioned that if an existing manufacturer of scheduled formulation with dosage or strength or both launches a new drug as per paragraph 2 (u) of the DPCO, 2013, such existing manufacturer shall apply for prior price approval of such new drug to NPPA in Form I as specified under Schedule-II of the DPCO, 2013.

In addition, it said that the manufacturers of these scheduled formulations shall furnish quarterly return to NPPA, in respect of production/import and sale of scheduled formulations in Form-III of Schedule-II of the DPCO, 2013 through
IPDMS. Any manufacturer intending to discontinue production of the said scheduled formulations shall furnish
information to NPPA, in respect of discontinuation of production and/or import of scheduled formulation in Form-IV of Schedule-II of the DPCO, 2013, at least six months prior to the intended date of discontinuation.

The manufacturers not complying with the ceiling price shall be liable to deposit the overcharged amount, along with interest thereon under the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 read with Essential Commodities Act, 1955, the statement concluded.