The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has been directed by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) to reconsider the ceiling price fixed for Zithrox and Azilide brands of azithromycin produced by Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd., following a review petition filed by the company against the NPPA revision as per the new Drug Price Control Order, 2013.

However, the review petitions by Modi-Mundipharma Pvt Ltd and Win-Medicare Pvt Ltd were rejected by the DoP as many more companies have reportedly challenged the new ceiling prices announced by the NPPA in line with the DPCO and the pharmaceutical pricing policy in the recent months.

“NPPA is requested to have a relook on data of Zithrox and Azilide with PTR (price to retailer) Rs.4.16 and Rs.6.81 as brought out during the hearing in consultation, with the IMS Health and if there is any basis for revision, the price may be revised accordingly,” according to an order by the DoP recently.

Alembic Pharma had challenged under para 31 of DPCO the order (S.O. No. 1577(E) dated 14.6.2013) the new ceiling price of azithromycin 500 mg tablets. “The issues involved in the review application have been examined based on the record of note of discussions of the personal hearing and other documents on record,” the order said.

Win-Medicare has challenged the NPPA price fixation (S.O. NO. 1651(E) dated June 14, 2013) for fixing ceiling price of scheduled medicine povidone iodine solution five per cent. But the DoP has rejected the petition after hearing the case.

“Review application of the Petitioners is disposed of on the grounds that price fixation by NPPA is as per the provisions of DPCO, 2013,” said the order in this regard.

Likewise, the challenge by Modi-Mundipharma also against the NPPA same order (S.O. NO. 1651(E) dated June 14, 2013) for fixing ceiling price of the same formulation of povidone iodine solution five per cent was rejected by the Department.