Cancer Medicines to Become Cheaper Following Centre's Key Decision

The Central Government has announced significant relief for cancer patients and their families by reducing the prices of several expensive cancer medicines. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, issued a notification on November 9, announcing price reductions for 137 anti-cancer medicines. Based on recommendations from an expert committee constituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the government had imposed limits on trade margins for these medicines on October 17. The revised maximum retail prices (MRPs) came into effect on November 9.

According to the Department of Pharmaceuticals, 85 pharmaceutical companies had announced revised prices for 1,364 anti-cancer formulations across 121 drug categories by November 8. Prices of 679 brands have been reduced by more than 50 per cent, with the highest reduction reaching 96.45 per cent for a particular medicine. The government estimates that these reductions will help patients save approximately Rs. 3,540.38 crore annually. Medical stores and hospital pharmacies are not permitted to sell these medicines above the revised prices. Consumers can verify medicine prices through the Pharma Sahi Daam mobile app or the official NPPA website. Complaints about overpricing can be registered through the Pharma Jan Samadhan portal or by calling the NPPA helpline at 1800-111-255.