Medicines for Cancer and Heart Diseases to Become Cheaper

The Central Government has taken a major decision regarding medicine prices. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed the maximum retail price (MRP) of 39 new drugs under the Drugs Price Control Order 2013. This list includes medicines used for treating diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, infections, eye diseases, respiratory problems, and cancer. The notification, issued on July 8, covers essential drugs such as Tenecteplase injection, Vitamin D3 oral solution, Imatinib oral solution, and various combinations involving Empagliflozin, Telmisartan, Aspirin, Atorvastatin, and Clopidogrel.

According to the NPPA's strict order, no pharmaceutical company can sell these medicines above the newly fixed maximum price. All companies are mandated to inform their dealers and state drug regulators about the revised pricing and distribute updated price lists to ensure shops and hospitals pass the benefits directly to patients.

The order also explicitly prohibits companies from arbitrarily adding GST to inflate prices; GST can only be added if it is genuinely paid or scheduled to be paid to the government. The NPPA issued a stern warning that any company caught charging more than the capped price will have to refund the excess amount along with interest. Action against defaulters will be taken under the Drugs Price Control Order and the Essential Commodities Act. The government's primary objective is to ensure that essential medicines remain affordable and accessible to the common man without arbitrary overcharging by pharma companies.