National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority fixes price of insulin, 81 medicine

NPPA has fixed the Retail Price of 'Insulin Human Injection, 200IU/ml' and '70% Isophane Insulin Human Suspension + 30% Insulin Human Injection 200IU/ml' from Wockhardt Limited at Rs. 106.65 per ml each (excluding GST). Also, 'Prasugrel Hydrochloride 10 mg (as film-coated) + Aspirin 75 mg (as enteric-coated) Capsule' from Torrent Pharmaceuticals at Rs. 20.16 per Capsule (excluding GST) with effect from March 17.

Both the medicines were being sold at MRP of Rs. 132.50 per ml and at MRP of Rs. 27.26 per capsule respectively. With this price regulation, NPPA has re-assured the availability of medicines at fair prices to the public at large.

NPPA in its meeting on March 10 decided to regulate the price of these formulations as per provisions of DPCO, 2013 as the exemption period has been over. This has resulted in a reduction of the prices of Insulin Human Injection, 200IU/ml' and '70% Isophane Insulin Human Suspension + 30% Insulin Human Injection 200IU/ml', causing a sizable reduction over the existing prices. Now, these medicines have become more affordable to the public.

The NPPA had granted price exemption for formulations to the respective companies under Para 32 of the 'Drug Prices Control Order (DPCO), 2013 for a period of five years due to a new drug delivery system developed through indigenous Research and Development. Price regulation was not applicable during the exemption period.

NPPA also fixed retail prices of 76 new drugs to be launched by existing manufacturers including off-patent Anti-diabetic drugs allowing the due benefit of patent expiry to the patients.

In addition, NPPA fixed ceiling price of 2 scheduled formulation namely Povidone Iodine 7.5% Scrub an anti-infective formulation and Levo-Thyroxine 37.5mg tablet used for the treatment of Thyroid related diseases, causing considerable reduction to their present prices.

Revision in existing ceiling prices of scheduled formulations based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) was also approved by the Authority. The revised prices will be effective from April, 2021.