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New Delhi: In a significant step to make essential healthcare more affordable, the government has capped the retail prices of 35 widely used medicines across key therapeutic areas. The move, notified by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers through the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), covers drugs used for pain management, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, bacterial infections, and psychiatric disorders, among others.

The pricing regulation has been issued under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO), exercising powers under paragraphs 5, 11, and 15, ensuring statutory control over drug pricing. The order supersedes any previous price approvals for the specified formulations and mandates immediate compliance by manufacturers and retailers.

Impact on Consumers & Industry

The move will directly benefit patients by reducing out-of-pocket expenditure on essential therapies. For instance:

• Aceclofenac + Paracetamol + Trypsin Chymotrypsin tablets, used for inflammation and pain, will now cost ₹13 per tablet (Akums/Dr Reddy’s) and ₹15.01 per tablet (Cadila).

• Atorvastatin + Clopidogrel tablets, prescribed to prevent heart attacks and strokes, are capped at ₹25.61 per tablet.

• Pediatric antibiotic oral suspensions (Cefixime + Paracetamol) and Vitamin D drops (Cholecalciferol) are included to address child health needs.

• New-age oral anti-diabetic combinations such as Empagliflozin + Sitagliptin + Metformin Hydrochloride are capped at ₹16.50 per tablet, improving access to modern diabetes management.

Compliance & Enforcement

The NPPA directed manufacturers to:

• Issue updated price lists in Form-V via the Integrated Pharmaceutical Database Management System (IPDMS).

• Submit the lists to state drug controllers and prominently display updated prices at retail and wholesale outlets (as per paragraph 24 of DPCO 2013).

Retailers must adopt the revised prices immediately. Any violation will attract penal action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, including recovery of overcharged amounts with interest.

Therapeutic Categories Covered

The price-controlled formulations span:

• Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs (Diclofenac injection – ₹31.77/ml)

• Cardiovascular drugs (Atorvastatin combinations, Aspirin prophylaxis formulations)

• Anti-diabetic therapies (Empagliflozin and Sitagliptin-based FDCs)

• Respiratory and allergy treatments (Bilastine + Montelukast – ₹22.78/tablet)

• Pediatric and nutritional supplements (Vitamin D drops, antibiotic suspensions)

Policy Context

This move aligns with the government’s policy of keeping essential drugs within affordable reach while maintaining a robust pharmaceutical supply chain. India’s price control framework, strengthened through DPCO 2013, has been instrumental in curbing excessive pricing in essential therapies and ensuring universal access.

Officials said this notification will bring “greater transparency, affordability and regulatory clarity” and encourage rational drug use while protecting public health.