The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has cut the prices of two bulk drugs including tolnaflate, which became cheaper by around 40 per cent, and increased the prices of two other bulk drugs.

The price of topical antifungal agent tolnaflate came down from Rs 4121 to Rs 2500 per kg, as per a recent notification by NPPA. The price was earlier fixed on February 13, 2007. And the prices of a number of formulations used to treat fungus and skin infections will come down with the huge reduction in the bulk drug cost. The price of glipizide, used in the anti-diabetic therapeutic area, came down from Rs 29,244 to Rs 26,114 per kg. The price was revised almost after three years.

However, the prices of two other bulk drugs were hiked by the NPPA. The price of rifampicin, an anti TB drug, was revised upwards from Rs 3428 to Rs 3742 per kg, according to the notification.

Likewise, the price of idochlorohydroxyquinoline (ICHQ) revised from Rs 788 to Rs 933 per kg, effecting a 18 per cent hike over the price fixed in March 2008.

The prices will be made effective within 15 days of the notification, dated April 24, as per the relevant clause of the Drugs Price Control Order, the NPPA release said.