NPPA Writes To UT Over 1,000% Margin On Medicines

Drug price regulator National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) replied to the UT health department after it came to fore that the MRPs of a few medicines not under its price control had exceeded 1,000% margin.
The letter from NPPA was in response to a complaint of increased MRPs of three cough syrups. The anomaly was detected by UT health secretary Yashpal Garg.
Prior to taking action against the manufacturers, NPPA found that they had not submitted Form V, which is required to compare the hike as price escalation of more than 10% annually is not permitted.
The NPPA has asked the Parwanoo-based manufacturers to explain why the form was not submitted by the end of the month.
The mandate of NPPA is to ensure that drug prices are compliant with the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.
“The formulations contained in MCAIN, RICAINE & SUFIT-O brands are non-scheduled formulations under DPCO, 2013 and prices for the same are not fixed by NPPA. For non-scheduled formulations, manufacturers are at liberty to fix initial prices,” mentioned the letter from NPPA deputy director
Saurabh Bansal to the UT health secretary.
It added, “The manufacturers/marketers mentioned in your letter have not submitted Form-V to NPPA, as required under DPCO, 2013. Changes in MRP since 2013 are required to examine compliance with Para 20 of DPCO, 2013. Accordingly, these manufacturers/ marketers have been directed to submit the requisite data separately.”
Source: IndiaTimes