NPPA fixes retail prices for 39 new drug formulations covering diabetes, HIV and heart care

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority NPPA has fixed the retail prices of 39 new drug formulations under the provisions of the Drugs Prices Control Order DPCO 2013The notification issued on July 8 covers medicines used to treat a range of medical conditions including hypertension diabetes HIV heart disease and eye infections The move is aimed at ensuring that the prices of newly approved formulations remain regulated and affordable for patientsOfficials clarified that the notification is a retail price fixation order for new drug formulations under the DPCO 2013 and should not be interpreted as a price reduction order for existing medicinesPrices fixed for commonly prescribed formulationsAmong the formulations covered under the notification the retail price of Amlodipine Bisoprolol Telmisartan tablets prescribed for the treatment of hypertension has been fixed at Rs 1474 per tabletThe NPPA has also fixed the retail price of Nepafenac Moxifloxacin Ophthalmic Solution used after eye surgeries and for treating bacterial eye infections at Rs 6864 per mlAnother formulation included in the notification is Clopidogrel Aspirin Atorvastatin capsules commonly prescribed to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes The retail price for the medicine has been fixed at Rs 637 per capsuleThe newly notified prices apply to the specified formulations and are intended to regulate their sale in the market under the provisions of the DPCORetailers directed to display updated price listsThe NPPA reiterated that retailers and dealers must prominently display the latest price lists supplied by manufacturers at their business premisesQuoting Paragraph 244 of the DPCO 2013 the authority said As per para 244 of DPCO 2013 every retailer and dealer shall display the price list and the supplementary price list if any as furnished by the manufacturer on a conspicuous part of the premises where he carries on business in a manner so as to be easily accessible to any person wishing to consult the sameThe authority said the requirement is intended to ensure transparency and allow consumers to verify the notified retail prices of medicinesManufacturers warned against overchargingThe NPPA also warned manufacturers and marketing companies against charging prices higher than those notified under the DPCOAccording to the notification companies that fail to comply with the notified retail prices will be required to refund the excess amount collected from consumers along with applicable interestIn case the retail price of any of the aforesaid formulations is not complied with as per instant price notification and notes specified hereinabove then the concerned manufacturermarketing company shall be liable to deposit the overcharged amount along with the interest thereon under the provisions of the DPCO 2013 read with the Essential Commodities Act 1955 the notification statedThe NPPA regularly fixes retail prices for new drug formulations under the DPCO to regulate medicine prices and improve affordability while ensuring compliance with the countrys pharmaceutical pricing framework