The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)'s recent price control order, in which the NPPA had fixed prices of anti-diabetic and cardiovascular drugs in respect of 108 non-scheduled formulation packs, will be applicable to all other companies whose names have not been mentioned in paragraph 12 of the NPPA order dated July 10.

“The MRP fixed vide standing order nos. 1730 (E) to 1779 (E) issued on 10.07.2014 shall be implemented by all left out manufacturer who are selling at a price higher than the notified price, not mentioned in paragraph 12 of the above said orders as per the provision of the DPCO, 2013, by issuing a price list in Form V of Schedule-II in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 25 of the said order”, the NPPA clarified in a notification.

The national drug price regulator further said, “In exercise of the powers, conferred by Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 read with S.O. 1394(E) dated the 30th May 2013 issued by the Government of India, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) being satisfied that it is necessary so to do in the public interest hereby notifies that any manufacturer covered under paragraph 2(n) of the DPCO, 2013 selling formulation(s) at a price higher than the maximum retail price (MRP) notified in the column 5 of the table under paragraph 12 and not covered in the said paragraph of the standing orders nos. 1730 (E) to 1779 (E) issued on 10.07.2014 by the NPPA, the MRP fixed and notified under column 5 of the above said table mentioned at the respective serial number of the respective formulation of the respective notification shall also be applicable to such manufacturer, as the case may be”.

The MRP so fixed under paragraph 19 of DPCO, 2013 shall be maintained for a period of one year from the date of notification after which annual price increase not exceeding 10% of the maximum retail price will be permissible under paragraph 20 (1) of the said order.  In case of failure / non-compliance of para 2 and 3 above, the manufacturer /marketer shall be liable to deposit the overcharged amount along with the interest thereon from the date of notification and/or date of price increase beyond 10%, as the case may be, the NPPA in its order said.

Earlier on July 10, 2014, the NPPA had brought prices of 108 non-scheduled formulation packs involving the anti-diabetic and cardiovascular drugs under government control under Paragraph 19 of DPCO, 2013.  Paragraph 19 of DPCO, 2013, authorises the NPPA in extraordinary circumstances, if it considers necessary so to do in public interest, to fix the ceiling price or retail price of any drug for such period as it deems fit.