High Drug Prices

Industry insiders say pharma players are taking advantage and stocking up on APIs

National drug pricing regulator NPPA on Friday said it has fixed retail prices of 23 formulations, including the medications to treat diabetes and high blood pressure. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed the prices under the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013 based on the decision of 113th Authority meeting dated May 26, 2023. As per the notification, the NPPA has fixed the price of one tablet of diabetes drug Gliclazide ER and Metformin Hydrochloride tablets at Rs 10.03. Similarly, the retail price of one tablet of Telmisartan, Chlorthalidone & Cilnidipine tablets at Rs 13.17. The retail price of one tablet of pain reliever medication Trypsin, Bromelain, Rutoside Trihydrate and Diclofenac Sodium tablets has been fixed at Rs 20.51. The NPPA said it has also revised ceiling price of 15 scheduled formulations under Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (NLEM 2022). It has also fixed ceiling price of two scheduled formulations. Besides, it has fixed and revise

However, there is no shortage expected at the retail level anytime soon

The Competition Commission of India has been clamping down on unfair business practices in the healthcare space

Celgene's business tactics, also used by other drugmakers, could allow the company to put off unrestricted competition from generics until 2026