The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revised the prices of 146 formulation packs, including some widely used packs containing Ibuprofen and Analgin.

In another significant move, the price regulator has taken Methyl Prednisolone out of the scheduled category. “Consequent upon the notification issued vide S.O. No 1503(E) dated 01.07.2011 notifying that Methyl Prednisolone is not a derivative of scheduled bulk drug Prednisolone and therefore considered as non-scheduled bulk drug under Drug (Prices Control) Order, 1995, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority hereby withdraws the price notifications / orders relating to price fixation/ revision of Methyl Prednisolone based formulations as single ingredient issued under para 8 and 9 of the DPCO, 1995 with immediate effect,” said a notification.

The prices were revised in the case of formulation packs of Ibuprofen, Analgin, Quinidochlor, Rifampicin with combination, Doxycycline, Trimethoprim with combination, Glipizide with Metformin, Chloroqine, Oxytetracycline, Rifampicin, Trimethoprim with combination, Norfloxacin with Metronidazle, Monocomponent Insulin, Vitalux Plus TR, UNIVIA Human Insulin, Huminsulin, Beplex Forte, and Dextrose / Sodium Chloride (I.V. Fluids).

The agency also revised the prices of monocomponent insulin produced by Eli Lilly and Company, in accordance with the recent orders of the Delhi High Court and the review order passed by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoPs), said the official notification. The prices for 11 packs of Monocomponent Insulin were thus refixed.

“NPPA in its 123rd Authority Meeting held on 23.11.2011 duly considered the aforesaid price fixation order and approved the prices of imported formulations considering the CIF prices claimed in Form IV of Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995 (hereinafter mentioned as DPCO 1995) and guidelines approved in 121st Authority Meeting held on 22.7.2011 in respect of MAPE / Margin for imported formulations having domestic / indigenous substitute.  Accordingly, prices for concerned imported formulations were approved with the margin as applicable to ensure fair and reasonable price to consumer public,” the notification said.