Bengaluru: Karnataka Health Minister U.T. Khader has welcomed the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority’s (NPPA) decision to cap trade margins at 30% of the maximum retail price (MRP) for 137 anti-cancer drugs, saying the move is expected to provide significant relief to patients.
Prices of several life-saving cancer medicines are expected to fall by up to 70% from November 9, 2026, following the decision.
Khader said the move followed Supreme Court directions and investigation reports and letters sent by Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Department through its Drugs Control Division to the Union government and the NPPA on September 23, 2026.
He said Karnataka was among the first states to act on the issue after receiving complaints from patients. A statewide inquiry by the Drugs Control Division found substantial gaps between the landing cost and MRP of 253 cancer medicines.
“On the direction of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, we placed this data before the Centre and pressed for national action,” Khader said, adding that the decision would benefit cancer patients across the country.
The minister said Karnataka would continue its efforts to make essential medicines affordable. The state has sought similar price controls on medicines used to treat heart and kidney diseases and other critical illnesses.
He added that inspections of hospitals and pharmacies would be conducted to ensure patients receive medicines at the revised prices from the implementation date.
Khader urged patients who are charged higher prices after November 9 to contact the Health and Family Welfare Department through its DHFWKA channel.
“Families facing cancer should not have to fight the cost of medicines as well,” he said, assuring patients that the government would continue to support them.
