Suryaa National Desk: Union government has provided big relief to thousands of patients battling cancer epidemic. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority... Union government has provided big relief to thousands of patients battling cancer epidemic. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) issued a gazette notification on October 17 limiting the trade margin of 137 non-notified anti-cancer drugs to a maximum of 30 percent. The main objective of this decision is to significantly reduce the financial burden of cancer treatment by curbing the unfettered distribution and retail margins. This is likely to reduce the MRP of cancer drugs by almost 70 percent based on the current market prices.
The new reduced prices will be effective from November 9. This category includes immunotherapy drugs used to treat more than 20 types of cancer, as well as key drugs such as denosumab used in breast and prostate cancer patients, and bevacizumab used in colon, ovarian and cervical (cervical) cancers. Also, the prices of commonly used drugs such as pembrolizumab, durvalumab and osimertinib will become more accessible to poor and middle class patients. These relaxations are being implemented as per paragraph 19 of the Drug Price Control Order 2013 based on the recommendations of the Committee of Cancer Specialists and Medical Experts under the Directorate General of Health Services. According to the new rules, pharmaceutical manufacturers will have to inform the authority about the revised prices within a week and publish them on their official websites. From November 9, hospitals and retail medical shops will have to sell medicines at reduced prices only.
Hospitals have been directed to clearly display these new price lists at their pharmacies and on their websites. Consumers can check revised drug prices through 'Pharma Sahi Dam' app or NPPA website. State drug controllers have been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the implementation of this decision. They will take measures to ensure that manufacturers, dealers and hospitals strictly follow the new norms. At the same time, the authority clarified that companies should maintain their current production and supply levels continuously to ensure that there is no artificial shortage in the market and smooth supply. Earlier in 2019 also, by reducing the margins of 42 types of cancer drugs, it is known that the prices of 526 brands of drugs have been reduced by 90 percent.
