Thalassemia, TB, asthma medicines prices likely to flourish

New Delhi: Prices of several essential medicines used in the treatment of ailments such as asthma, glaucoma, thalassemia, tuberculosis and mental health disorders are expected to rise with the government approving a 50% increase in their maximum price.
About the reason behind this decision, the government said in a statement on Monday, “The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) had been receiving applications for price increase from manufacturers citing various reasons such as rising cost of active pharmaceutical ingredients, increase in production cost, change in exchange rates, and more, resulting in the unviability of continued production and marketing of medicines.
Companies have also applied to discontinue some drugs because they are unviable.”
“On October 8, after detailed deliberations, exercising extraordinary powers under Para 19 of DPCO-2013 and in the larger public interest, NPPA has approved increase in ceiling price of 11 scheduled formulations of eight drugs by 50% over their current ceiling price,” the statement said.
The eight drugs whose maximum price has been revised are: Benzyl Penicillin 10 Lakh IU Injection; Atropine Injection 06.mg/ml; Streptomycin Powder for Injection 750mg and 1000mg; Salbutamol Tablet 2mg and 4mg and Respirator Solution 5mg/ml; Pilocarpine 2% Drops; Cefadroxil Tablet 500mg, Desferrioxamine 500mg for Injection; and Lithium Tablet 300mg.
Most of these medicines are low-cost and are generally used as primary treatment required under public health programmes. “The price revision is unlikely to have any significant impact on patients as most of these medicines are available to them free of cost in government hospitals and through public health initiatives to provide free treatment,” a senior official said.
The NPPA had exercised its powers in 2019 and 2021 to expansion the prices of 21 and nine drugs by 50%, respectively, to ensure the continued availability of essential medicines to the public.