In order to keep a check on the prices of the essential medicines, the government has brought 52 new drugs under its price control mechanism including some commonly used painkillers and antibiotics, and also those useful in treatment of cancer and skin diseases.
Following this, 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.