The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has prepared a suggestive price list for a selected group of fast moving drugs after comparing the prices of different brands of the same formulation. The comparative study has shown that the prices of the leading brands of the same formulations are, on an average, three to four times more than the lowest priced ones.

According to the study, one has to spend Rs 48.1 to purchase 10 tablets of Amlogard (Pfizer), while the same drug (Amlodipin 5 mg tablet) costs only Rs 15 per 10 tablets if it is Amlodac (Zydus). Similarly, Alprocontin (Modimundi) is costing Rs 24.20 per 10 tables when Anzilum (Cadila Pharma) is available for Rs 7 per 10 tablets. Both are Alprazciam 5-mg formulations. The average suggestive prices that are indicated by the authority in these cases are Rs 20 and Rs 15.5 respectively.

Some of the drugs and their comparative prices that figure in the price list are Calcium Carbonate + Vit D3: Sandocal (Novartis) - Rs 70 / 20 tablets & Shelcal (Elder) - 31.50 / 15 tablets, Cefotaxime: Bestax (BE) - Rs 86.56 & Taxim (Alkem) - Rs 35.12, Cephalexin: Sporidex (Ranbaxy) - Rs 124.5 & Cephaxin (Biochem) - Rs 79.92, Ciprofloxacin: Cifran(Ranbaxy) - Rs 89.6 & Zoxan (FDC) - Rs 36, Clarithromycin 250mg: Celex (GSK) - Rs 140 & Clariwin (Micro) - Rs 67.6, Diazepam 5mg: Valium (Nicholas) - Rs 17.6 & Dizep (Intas) - Rs 2.9, Diclofenac 50mg: Diclonac (Lupin) - Rs 12 & Haloran (HAL) - Rs 4.34, Diltiazem 60mg: Dilcontin (Modi Mundi) - Rs 57.4 & Diltime (Zydus) - Rs 19.9, Fluconazole 150mg: Forcan (Cipla) - Rs 32.25 per capsule & Nuforce (Mankind) - Rs 9.9 per capsule. Mebendazole 100mg: Mebex (Cipla) - Rs 15.25 & Zumin (Reptacos) - Rs 5.5, Norfloxacin 400mg: Norflox (Cipla) - Rs 47 & Norstar (Cadila) - Rs 19.2, Ofloxacin 200mg: Tarivid (Aventis) - Rs 155 / five tablets & Zenflox (Mankind)- Rs 25 / 10 tablets, Omeprazole 20mg cap: Omez (DRL) - Rs 44 & Oskar (Mankind) - Rs 9.9, Ondansetron 4 mg: Vomis (Zydus) - Rs 40.41 & Vomikind (Mankind) - Rs 13.9.