The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority today issued a list of 390 anti-cancer drugs which will be available at a cheaper rate for patients. The prices of the listed drugs have been cut by up to 87 per cent by the pharmaceutical body. Prices of at least 38 medicines like Bendamustine, Bortezomib and Pemetrexed have been cut down by 75 per cent and more.
"The NPPA under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers has put out list of 390 anti-cancer non-scheduled medicines with MRP reduction up to 87 per cent. The revised prices would come into effect from March 8, 2019," an official release said.
Check full list of cheaper anti-cancer drugs here
A total of 390 brands -- that is 91 per cent of the 426 brands reported by the manufacturers -- showed downward price movement, it added.
This move is expected to benefit 22 lakh cancer patients in the country and would result in annual savings of around Rs 800 crore to the patients, the release said.
"The trade margin rationalisation for 42 anti-cancer drugs was rolled out as Proof of Concept, stressing on the new paradigm of self-regulation by the industry. The manufacturers of these 42 drugs have been directed not to reduce production volumes of brands under regulation," it said.
While the MRP of 38 brands has been reduced by 75 per cent and more, 124 brands have seen reduction between 50 per cent to 75 per cent.
The MRP of 121 brands has been reduced between 25 per cent to 50 per cent, while the maximum retail price of 107 brands have been reduced below 25 per cent, the release said.
Latest India News
