New Delhi: The Government of India has stepped up enforcement of revised prices for 137 anti-cancer drugs, directing state drug regulators to monitor manufacturers, pharmacies and hospitals and initiate action against those found charging above the permitted rates.
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, has asked State Drug Controllers to submit reports detailing the action taken to enforce the revised prices by November 16.
The directions follow the implementation of Trade Margin Rationalisation (TMR) on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines from November 9. The measure was notified through a government order dated October 17, 2026.
Under the policy, trade margins on the identified medicines have been capped at 30 per cent of the maximum retail price (MRP).
Pharmacies and hospitals told to display revised prices
In an office memorandum issued on November 11, the NPPA instructed manufacturers, retailers, dealers, stockists, hospitals and medical institutions to comply with the revised prices.
They must also prominently display updated price lists at their business premises and on their websites. State Drug Controllers have been asked to check compliance across the supply chain and ensure that the price reductions reach patients.
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Any violation could lead to overcharging proceedings under the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, the regulator said.
The latest revised price lists, based on information submitted by pharmaceutical companies up to November 11, have been made available on the NPPA website and the Pharma Sahi Daam app and portal.
Government estimates significant savings for patients
The price revision is expected to reduce the cost of several cancer medicines.
According to the Department of Pharmaceuticals, 85 pharmaceutical companies had reported revised prices for 1,364 formulations covering 121 of the 137 identified drugs by November 8. Of these, 679 brands had reported price reductions exceeding 50 per cent, with the highest reduction at 96.45 per cent.
The government estimated that the changes could generate annual savings of around ₹3,540 crore for consumers. These figures are based on the price information reported by companies and the government's estimates.
The NPPA has asked state regulators to ensure that hospitals and medical institutions also follow the revised MRPs, as patients may purchase medicines through hospital pharmacies as well as retail outlets.
How patients can report overcharging
- Patients who are charged more than the revised MRP, or face shortages and non-availability of the medicines, can submit complaints through the Pharma Sahi Daam app or portal.
- The NPPA has also provided a helpline, 1800-111-255, and an email address, [email protected], for complaints relating to pricing and availability.
The regulator's latest directions place responsibility on state drug authorities to monitor implementation and report their enforcement action by November 16.
(With inputs from PTI, Press Information Bureau, NPPA)
