The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has reduced the prices of 112 formulation packs and increased the prices of bulk drug, metronidazole and its derivative metronidazole benzoate. The formulations whose prices have been reduced are of the bulk drugs namely, ibuprofen (pain killer), chloroquine (anti-malarial), cloxacillin (antibiotic), theophylline and salbutamol (respiratory drugs), betamethasone (corticosteriods), sulphamethaxole (anti-bacterial), pyrantal palmoate (worm infection), vitamin formulations, erythromycin estolate (antibiotic), spironolactone (diuretics), prednisolone (corticosteroids) and insulin formulations, etc.
The 84rd meeting of NPPA held here on February 1, 2006 considered 384 cases relating to fixation/revision of prices of formulation packs of which the prices were reduced in respect of 112 cases. Upward revision in the prices took place in 13 cases based on pricing applications received from different units. For the first time, the prices have been fixed in respect of 11 formulation packs besides five imported insulin formulations. The price fixation had taken into account the new norms of conversion cost, packing charges, packing material cost and process loss.
The prices of bulk drug metronidazole and its derivative metronidazole benzoate have been revised from Rs. 470/kg to Rs. 471/kg and Rs. 373/kg to Rs. 401 kg respectively after conducting a cost price study. This works out to an increase of 0.21% and 7.57% respectively in comparison to the earlier notified price. This drug is used in the treatment of amoebic infection and delivered in the dosage form of oral solids, liquids and injectables.
This increase in price would result in around 1% increase in formulation price of metronidazole benzoate and a negligible/nil increase in respect of metronidazole.
The Authority after considering the submissions of manufacturers and available information with NPPA also decided to continue the existing notified price of bulk drug, chlorpropamide. This drug is used in the treatment of diabetes.