The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) revised prices for 185 formulation packs out of which prices of 77 products were reduced including non-ceiling prices of products from Pfizer India Ltd and Novartis India Ltd. The authority has also fixed prices for six bulk drugs through another notification.

The decrease in prices ranges from 0.41 per cent price reduction for 100 ml bottle of etofylline+theophylline Syrup to 34.38 per cent reduction in price of 15 mg aluminum tube of tolnaftate+ICHQ+betamethasone+gentamycin cream/ointment in ceiling price. The non ceiling prices for various strengths and packages of Pfizer's Medrol, Solu Medrol and Depo Medrol drugs were reduced in a range of 5.97 per cent to 14.67 per cent, through the new notification.

Novartis' 30 ml bottle of Vitalux TR tablets will now have a price of Rs 262.53 as against Rs 304.76 with a 13.86 per cent decrease in non ceiling price. However, the prices for Shreya Life Science's recently launched Recosulin (human insulin buccal spray) has been experienced an increase.

Ceiling prices for 10 formulation packs were fixed afresh through the notification. The prices for 500ml metronidazole +dextrose injection, 5 ml, 10 ml, 15 ml, 20 ml, 30 ml, 50 ml and 100 ml vials of analgin+chlorobutol injections, 10's strip/blister of asprin+atorvastatin+clopidogrel capsule and 50gm pouch of doxycycline+neomycin powder were fixed under this category.

The ceiling prices for various strengths and sizes of formulation packs, including phenoxy methyl penicillin V, chlorpromazine with combinations, tetracycline, rifampicin, rifampicin with combinations, vitamin E acetate, glipizide with combinations, levosalbutamol with combinations, tolnaftate with combinations, analgin with combinations, dexamethasone with combinations and prednisolone with combinations were also revised through the notification.

In another notification, the NPPA has fixed prices for six bulk drugs - betamethasone alcohol micronised, betamethasone 17 valerate, betamethasone disodium phosphate, betamethasone dipropianate, betamethasone acetate and parachlorometaxylenol. The revised price shall be made effective within 15 days from the date of the order, informed NPPA officials.