<b>Govt asks Cipla to pay Rs 194cr</b>

The government has served notices to Cipla asking the company to pay Rs 193.65 crore, inclusive of interest, for overcharging of five drugs between August 2003 and March 2006.

According to a release issued by Cipla to the BSE today, the government, through the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, had earlier served notices to pay Rs 748.27 crore for overcharging of five drugs till July 2003.

"These notices are contrary to the orders of the Supreme Court of India, and the company has received legal advice that entire amount demanded by the government are not tenable and sustainable," the release added.