Centre caps trade margins on non-scheduled cancer drugs at 30%, expects ₹2,500 crore annual savings for patients
The government expects to reduce prices of the non-scheduled cancer drugs by up to 70% through the move and help patients save ₹2,500 crore annually.
New Delhi has approved a 30% cap on margins charged on non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines, aiming to reduce prices by up to 70% and save ₹2,500 crore annually for patients. This move extends price protection to non-scheduled cancer medicines, which were previously exempt from government-fixed ceiling prices. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) found that these medicines have an average price mark-up of around 170%, with some exceeding 700%.
The expert committee under the Directorate General of Health Services will finalize the list of medicines to be covered, and the NPPA will issue the notification implementing the measure. This intervention aims to alleviate the financial burden of cancer treatment, as patients and families often face substantial out-of-pocket expenses.
Building upon a similar measure in February 2019, which covered 42 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs and resulted in ₹984 crore in annual savings across 526 brands, the government now intends to cover a broader range of non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines, including branded and generic drugs, domestically produced and imported medicines, and patented and non-patented medicines.
Manufacturers of these drugs will be required to maintain their current production levels to prevent shortages.
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