Centre to cap trade margins on non-scheduled cancer drugs to 30% of MRP
Average trade mark-up on these drugs now around 170%, reaching 700% in some cases; intervention to cut prices by up to 70% of MRP, resulting in cumulative annual savings of ₹2,500 crore for patients
In an effort to make cancer treatment more affordable and reduce patients' out-of-pocket expenses, the Union government has announced a cap on trade margins at 30% of the maximum retail price (MRP) for non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs. This decision aims to lower the financial burden faced by cancer patients, with around 75% of treatment costs borne out-of-pocket. The government will draw upon the experience of a similar intervention in 2019, which resulted in price reductions of up to 91% and annual savings of ₹984 crore.
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