To keep a check on prices of essential medicines, the government has brought 52 new drugs under its price control mechanism including some commonly used painkillers and antibiotics, as also those useful in treatment of cancer and skin diseases. Following the latest move, more than 450 drug formulation packs are now under the price control mechanism of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which entails the regulator fixing ceiling and retail prices for such medicines. The NPPA said yesterday that it has fixed the prices in respect of 52 drugs under the Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO), 2013.

The NPPA was established by the government to fix or revise the prices of controlled bulk drugs and formulations and to enforce prices and availability of the medicines in the country under the DPCO.
According to industry experts, the major drug makers likely to be impacted by the latest price control decision include Lupin, Cadila and Merck. The new drugs that have come under price control include commonly-used antibiotics and painkillers as well as medicines used for treating cancer and skin disorders.

The NPPA is also entrusted with the task of recovering amounts overcharged by manufacturers for the controlled drugs from the consumers. It also monitors the prices of decontrolled drugs in order to keep them at reasonable levels.