New Delhi: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has rationalised trade margins on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs, a move expected to reduce their maximum retail prices (MRPs) by up to 70% and ease the financial burden on cancer patients. The revised prices will come into effect on November 9, 2026.
The measure, notified on October 17, aims to curb excessive trade margins and improve access to affordable cancer treatment.
The identified drugs include immunotherapy medicines used to treat more than 20 types of cancer, Denosumab for breast and prostate cancer patients, Pegfilgrastim to prevent neutropenia, and Bevacizumab for colon, ovarian and cervical cancers. Prices of widely used medicines such as Pembrolizumab, Durvalumab and Osimertinib are also expected to become more accessible.
The NPPA has capped trade margins at 30% of the MRP under Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. The list was recommended by an expert committee under the Directorate General of Health Services and will be updated periodically.
The initiative builds on a 2019 exercise covering 42 anti-cancer drugs, following which prices of 526 brands were reduced by up to 90%.
Manufacturers must notify the NPPA of revised prices within seven days of the Gazette notification and publish updated price lists. Retailers and hospitals must charge the revised prices from November 9 and display updated lists. State Drug Controllers will oversee compliance.
Pharmaceutical companies must maintain existing production and supply levels to prevent shortages. Consumers can check revised prices through the Pharma Sahi Daam app and the NPPA website, nppa.gov.in.
The measure seeks to improve affordability while ensuring uninterrupted access to anti-cancer medicines.
