The NPPA has brought 12 formulations under the price control for the first time as recommended by its Monitoring and Enforcement (M&E) Division of the Union chemicals ministry. Along with this, prices of 61 other formulations based on 16 bulk drugs were also revised with effect from March 23, 2007

The announcement includes price fixation of formulations or combinations, with highest price fixation for metronidazole +furazolidone +activated dimethicone syrup or suspension at Rs 60.58 per 450ml bottle. The newly fixed prices includes ibuprofen +paracetamol tablets for Rs 52.78 per 250 tablets bottle/jar, multivitamin tablets for Rs 8.06 on 10's strip/blister and aspirin + atorvastatin capsules for Rs 17.42 on 10's Strip/Blister.

The new formulations for which the prices were fixed includes Multivitamin Capsules 15's Strip/Blister, pseudoephedrine + fexofinadine tablets 10's Strip/Blister, betamethasone dipropionate lotion or solutions 28ml bottle, betamethasone dipropionate lotion or solutions 16ml per bottle, , erythromycin +zinc acetate gel/cream/ointment 15gm tube, salbutamol+guafensin+bromhexine+ menthol syrup/suspension 60 ml bottle, salbutamol+guafensin+bromhexine+ menthol syrup/suspension 120 ml bottle, salbutamol+guafensin+bromhexine+ menthol syrup/suspension 450 ml bottle, ibuprofen +paracetamol tablets 250's bottle or jar, metronidazole +furazolidone +activated dimethicone syrup/suspension 450 ml, and metronidazole + ofloxacin suspension of 60 ml bottle.

According to the notification, which revised prices of a total 73 formulations, the prices of methyl prednisolone acetate injection and methyl prednisolone acetate ampoules have recorded the highest reduction of over 25 per cent. The methyl prednisolone acetate ampoules per ml is subjected for a price cut from Rs28.28 to Rs 20.02, recording a reduction of 29.21 per cent. The price for methyl prednisolone acetate injection per 1ml ampoule has been reduced from Rs 29.58 to Rs 22.10, with a reduction of 25.29 per cent.

Price for the combination of norfloxacin+ metronidazole suspension 30ml has been increased from Rs 9.02 to Rs 10.54, recording the highest hike of 16.85 per cent as per the new notification. The NPPA's announcement also includes price fixation of 12 new formulations or combinations, as per the recommendations of M&E division, including metronidazole +furazolidone +activated dimethicone syrup or suspension at Rs 60.58 per 450ml bottle. The price of ibuprofen +paracetamol tablets for Rs 52.78 per 250 tablets bottle/jar.

The ceiling prices of the drugs increased on the basis of bulk drugs and their combinations including chloroquine phosphate, metronidazole with combinations, cefotaxime, tolnaftate with combinations, vitamin e with combinations, cefotaxime with sulbactam sodium combinations, erythromycin stearate and ethyl succinate, prednisolone/ methyl prednisolone, multivitamin, pseudoephedrine sulphate with combinations, aspirin with combinations, betamethasone dipropionate, erythromycin with zinc acetate, salbutamol with combinations, ibuprofen with combinations and metronidazole with combinations.

The authority also announced revision of non-ceiling pack prices for products from five companies, Biological E Ltd, Eli Lilly and Company, Glaxo India Ltd, Novartis and Saf Fermion Ltd with effect from the same date.

The non ceiling prices of gastrogyl plus tablet (1 pack) from Biological E Ltd, monocomponent insulin (7 packs) from Eli Lilly and Company, betnovate cream (6 packs) and anovate ointment (1 pack) from Glaxo India Ltd, vitalux plus TR tablets (1 pack) from Novartis and ciprofloxacin suspension (1 pack) from Saf Fermion Ltd, according to an NPPA notification.

NPPA said, in its circular dated March 23, 2007, this revised price shall be made effective within 15 days from the date of the order as required under sub paragraph (1) of paragraph 14 of Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995.