NPPA Fixes Prices for 35 Drug Formulations and Reduces Oxaliplatin Ceiling Price

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed retail prices for 35 drug formulations, spanning categories such as cancer treatment, cardiac care, diabetes management, and infections. The pricing decisions follow a review conducted by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP).

In orders issued on November 2, the drug price regulator finalized prices for 35 formulations in a primary notification, alongside a separate order for a 7,000 IU Vitamin D3 tablet. The regulator also revised the ceiling price of oxaliplatin injection, a platinum-based chemotherapy medication used to treat colorectal and gastrointestinal cancers. All notified prices are exclusive of applicable Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Among the oncology products covered in the first price-fixation order, the NPPA set the retail price of gemcitabine injection at ₹5,623.07 per vial. Gemcitabine is utilized in the treatment of several cancers. In a separate notification, the regulator reduced the ceiling price of oxaliplatin injection from ₹2,287.59 to ₹2,285.84 per 10 ml vial for a 5 mg/ml strength formulation.

The pricing orders also impact cardiovascular and diabetes medications. Two strengths of a combination comprising rosuvastatin, aspirin, and clopidogrel have been priced, with the 20 mg rosuvastatin formulation set at ₹25.21 per capsule and the 10 mg variant at ₹16.56 per capsule. These are manufactured by Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals and marketed by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries.

Similarly, two combinations of bisoprolol, telmisartan, and cilnidipine for cardiovascular management have been priced. The formulation containing 2.5 mg of bisoprolol is set at ₹19.11 per tablet, while the 5 mg strength is priced at ₹20.87 per tablet. Both are manufactured by Windlas Biotech and marketed by Eris Lifesciences. Additionally, metformin and sitagliptin tablets have been priced at ₹13.92 per tablet, while a sustained-release combination of myo-inositol and metformin is set at ₹24.45 per tablet.

Several antibiotic and gastrointestinal formulations are included in the list. Ceftriaxone and tazobactam injection has been priced at ₹125.07 per vial, and amoxicillin and clavulanate oral suspension at ₹5.10 per ml. Combinations of vonoprazan with amoxicillin and clarithromycin are also covered, including a three-drug combikit at ₹118.52 per strip, a vonoprazan-amoxicillin combikit at ₹50.53 per strip, and another three-drug combipack at ₹122.34.

The regulator finalized prices for multiple eye-drop formulations, including ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone at ₹2.71 per ml, gentamicin and dexamethasone at ₹1.75 per ml, moxifloxacin at ₹35.37 per ml, and moxifloxacin combined with dexamethasone at ₹20.40 per ml.

Other items on the list include methotrexate oral solution at ₹12.70 per ml, carbimazole tablets at ₹1.34 per tablet, methylprednisolone tablets at ₹5.30 and ₹10.28 per tablet across two strengths, and a paracetamol injection at ₹341.26 per vial. Furthermore, a 7,000 IU cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) chewable tablet—manufactured by Windlas Biotech and marketed by Eris Lifesciences—has been priced at ₹8.93 per tablet.

"Regulatory price interventions by the NPPA directly impact the operating margins and compliance frameworks of pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers. While price caps on essential and life-saving drugs ensure accessibility and affordability for consumers, stakeholders across the manufacturing and marketing supply chains must continuously optimize operational efficiencies to adapt to these statutory pricing revisions." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes