The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revised/fixed the prices of 13 formulation packs on February 17, 2003. The prices have been fixed for the first time in the case of 8 formulation packs. In the case of 4 packs the price have been reduced ranging from 1.96 per cent to 51.59 per cent. The revision in prices was warranted due to downward revision in price of scheduled bulk drug. In the case of one pack price has been increased by 30.25 per cent due to increase in the price of scheduled bulk drug.

Of the 13 formulation packs, ceiling prices (exclusive of excise duty and local taxes etc.) have been fixed in respect of 5 packs. The non-ceiling prices (inclusive of excise duty but exclusive of local taxes etc.) have been fixed in respect of 8 packs. The prices have been fixed/revised in accordance with the provisions of the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO), 1995 and as per the established criteria and guidelines.

The formulations for which prices have been revised/fixed are Insulin formulations used for the treatment of diabetics, Pentazocine based formulations used as analgesic medicine, Betamethasone based formulations used in the treatment of skin disorder and Methyldopa formulations used as anti-hypertensive medicine.

The prices fixed/revised would become effective within 15 days from the date of notification in the official gazette or the receipt of the order of the NPPA in this behalf, as per Para 14(1) of DPCO, 1995. Necessary revised price list is to be issued by the manufacturers/importers required under sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph 14 of the DPCO, 1995. Accordingly, as per the provision, the revised price list in Form-V of the DPCO is to be furnished by the concerned manufacturer(s) to the government and NPPA, State Drug Control Authorities and distributors, wholesalers and retailers or any other agent.

The manufacturers are also required to work out the pro-rata prices of different pack sizes as the case may be in terms of S.O. No. 83 (E) dated 27.01.98.

Please click here for the statement showing the existing (where available) and revised prices.