In a move directed to bring relief to cancer patients especially those from economically weaker backgrounds, the central government has announced a massive reduction in the prices of 390 anti-cancer drugs. The hospitals and pharmaceuticals are to follow the new prices from March 8, as per the government order.
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), a government regulatory agency that controls the prices of pharmaceutical drugs in India, has put out a list of 390 drugs with prices cut up to 87% on their website. Prices of 38 brands have been reduced by 75% and more while 124 brands saw a reduction between 50 to 75%. The Centre has kept the trade margin on 42 non-scheduled drugs at 30% and has asked the manufacturers to not compromise on the production volume.
“On 27 February 2019, NPPA had put 42 anti-cancer drugs under the 30% trade margin cap. Manufacturers and hospitals were directed to convey revised MRP, to be effective from 8th March based on the Trade Margin (TM) formula; 390 brands i.e. 91% of the 426 brands reported by manufacturers, showed downward price movement,” the press statement said.
The Logical Indian Take
The Logical Indian appreciates the govt for taking this step. In our country, we have 22 lakh cancer patients. It is approximated that this move will help save Rs 800 crore of patients’ money. We welcome the move and hope that apart from cancer medicines, medicines required for other fatal diseases too drop in the future making it affordable to all section of citizens.
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