New Delhi:- Prices of 543 brands and packs of cancer medicines in the country have been revised. Following a decision by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), prices of 397 medicines, accounting for 73% of the total, have been reduced.
Of these, prices of 217 medicines have been cut by more than 50%. The price reduction exceeds 70% for 97 brands, while 50 brands have witnessed cuts of more than 80%. Prices of five medicines have been reduced by over 90%. The biggest reduction has been recorded in the 'Sumtepa' injection, whose price has been brought down from ₹80,071 to ₹7,150. Similarly, the price of a pack of 21 capsules of 'Palbopro' has fallen from ₹40,421 to ₹2,720.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court questioned the NPPA over why medicine prices were not being brought under control. Following this, companies announced revised prices, which will come into effect from November 9. However, prices of 146 brands/packs have remained unchanged. The government has capped trade margins for 137 anti-cancer medicines at 30% of the maximum retail price.
Although prices of several cancer medicines have been reduced, some expensive drugs continue to be sold at their earlier prices.
These include the immunotherapy drug 'Keytruda', which is used in the treatment of more than 21 types of cancer and continues to be priced at ₹2,16,500.
Similarly, the price of 'Ribociclib', a medicine used in breast cancer treatment, remains unchanged at ₹24,435. In addition, the prices of medicines such as Tagrisso, Tecentriq, Darzalex and Imfinzi have also remained unchanged.
Reducing the prices of patented medicines is difficult because they are associated with new technologies and patent rights. If their prices are reduced, companies may cut supplies of these medicines in India or even discontinue them altogether.
