The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has either fixed or revised the prices of 164 formulation packs, consisting different sizes and strengths of 38 bulk drugs and its combinations, through a notification dated September 27, 2007.

Out of this, formulation packs of eight bulk drugs and combinations are non-ceiling packs from eight major companies - Eli Lilly and Company Pvt Ltd, sanofi aventis, Novo Nordisk India Pvt Ltd, Anglo French Drugs and Industries, Reckitt Benckiser (India Limited), Bio-Swiss Pharma and Lupin Laboratories Ltd.

The authority has revised the ceiling prices for 117 formulation packs including betamethasone with combinations, cloxacillin with ampicillin, oxytetracycline, multivitamin, vitamin C with combinations, erythromycin steareate, gentamycin sulphate, lincomycin, metronidazole with combinations, dexamethasone with combinations, doxycycline HCl/hyclate, doxycycline with combinations, etofyline with combinations, levosalbutamol / salbutamol with combinations, theophylline and ephedrine combinations, thiamine propyl disulphate, norfloxacin with combination, ibuprofen with combinations, ibuprofen, frusemide, furazolidone, vitamin E and C etc.

The price of Eli Lilly's various forms and strengths of monocomponent insulin, Huminsulin has been revised in which a major share of packs experienced a price hike of Rs 8 to Rs 15 according to vial/catridge base. insuman / lantus from sanofi aventis, neutral human insulin from Novo Nordisk India, Beplex (multivitamin) from Anglo French Drugs and Industries and Dettol Antiseptic Liquid (chloroxylenol) from Reckitt Benckiser (India Limited) were other formulation packages subjected to price revision.

NPPA has fixed price of two brands of erythromycin estolate, from Bio-Swiss Pharma and Lupin Laboratories Ltd, through the notification. The maximum retail price of 60ml Erycin syrup or suspension, from Bio-Swiss Pharma, has been fixed as Rs 22.56 inclusive of all taxes, while the price for Ero-B, product from Lupin has been fixed at Rs 22.70 as MRP inclusive of all taxes. The MRP of 30ml Vial of Novalgin (Analgin) Injection, from Sanofi Aventis has been fixed as Rs 29.14, informed the notification.

The authority added that the prices/revised prices shall be made effective within 15 days of receipt of the order as required under sub para 14(1) of DPCO, 1995. The necessary price-list should also be issued as required under sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph 14 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995.