NPPA hikes prices of 62 drugs

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) increased the prices of 62 drugs, which are mainly based on indigenously manufactured insulin. According to the reports, the drug price regulator has also reduced prices of 14 drugs, while that of 21 drugs remained unchanged. The majority of the drugs, whose prices have been increased are used in treatment of diabetes and tuberculosis. "We have to do a balancing act and provide a level playing field to the indigenous manufacturers who account for nearly 10% of the total domestic market for insulin," S.M. Jharwal, Chairman of NPPA was quoted as saying. He, however, asserted that despite the price increase, the drugs from these firms would still remain affordable.



"Although the prices of the indigenously manufactured insulin-based formulations has been increased in range of 5-18%, they would still be lower by nearly 15% than the formulations based on the imported bulk insulin drug," Jharwal said. The companies which would be affected by the price revision include Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Novartis, Sanofi Aventis, GSK, Biocon, Wockhardt, Lupin and Cipla, stated the reports.