The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revised/fixed the prices of 75 formulation packs. Prices have been fixed for the first time in the case of 5 formulation packs. In the case of 70 packs the prices have been revised downward ranging from 1.08% to 72.20%.

The formulations for which prices have been revised/fixed are ranitidine with combination based formulations used in the treatment gastro-intestinal disease, pseudoephedrine based formulations used in the treatment of cough & cold, trimethoprim based formulation used in the treatment of bacterial infection, famotidine based formulations used in treatment of gastro-intestinal disease, glipizide based formulations used in the treatment of diabetics and betacarotene with vitamin based formulation used as anti-oxidants.

The companies, whose products are to undergo price revision include Ranbaxy, Plethico, Cadila, Cipla,Novo Nordisk, Aristo, Morepen, Glenmark etc.

Of the 75 formulation packs, ceiling prices (exclusive of excise duty and local taxes etc.) have been fixed in respect of 42 packs. The non-ceiling prices (inclusive of excise duty but exclusive of local taxes etc.) have been fixed in respect of 33 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 NPPA notification dated September 3, 2003 stated that 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 provisions of the DPCO, the revised price list in Form-V is to be furnished by the concerned manufacturer(s) to the government/NPPA, State Drug Control Authorities and distributors, wholesalers and retailers or any other agent, it said.