Drug firms face NPPA heat for violating price norm

Pharma pricing regulator has asked companies to furnish details of batch-wise production and sales

In its show-cause notice to firms, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has observed that many companies in India are flouting pricing norms by introducing drugs without its approval. NPPA’s list comprises 200-odd drugs, including fixed-dose combinations (FDCs), and all major pharmaceutical companies.

NPPA's show-cause notice said, "It is not clear whether these formulations have the approval of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and whether these are rational or irrational combination drugs, as many of them are FDCs." 

NPPA notice to pharmaceutical companies accuses them of altering a formulation that comes under price control by tweaking the strength or dosage of the