Important Update for Patients: Maximum Prices Fixed for Life-Saving Drugs and Painkillers

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) – The central government has fixed the maximum price of four emergency use drugs and 37 antibiotics and painkillers. These prices have been fixed by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and these medicines are for the treatment of infections, heart disease and inflammation to diabetes and vitamin deficiency. NPPA said, "Manufacturers selling branded or generic or both types of medicines at a price higher than the ceiling price (including GST) will revise the prices, which will not exceed the ceiling price." However, NPPA said that manufacturers whose maximum retail price (MRP) is less than the ceiling price will maintain the existing MRP. These emergency use drugs include Ipratropium, which is used to prevent weeping, shortness of breath, cough and chest tightness in people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Its ceiling price was fixed at Rs 2.96 per ml. The price of Sodium Nitroprusside, which is used to rapidly lower blood pressure in hypertensive emergencies, reduce bleeding during surgery and in cases of acute heart failure, was fixed at Rs 28.99 per ml. The price of Diltiazem, which is used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain, was fixed at Rs 26.72 per capsule.

Besides, the price of povidone iodine was fixed at Rs 6.26 per gram, which is used for skin disinfection before and after surgery and for the care of minor wounds. Other drugs whose prices have been cut include paracetamol, atorvastatin, amoxicillin and metformin. The

affected drugs include a mixture of aceclofenac, paracetamol and trypsin chymotrypsin, used as an anti-inflammatory and cardiac drug, which comes as a combination of atorvastatin 40 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg. According to the NPPA, the notified prices are GST-free and additional charges may be levied if required.

The NPPA has also asked retailers and dealers to prominently display the new prices and said that non-compliance with the new rates will be a punishable offence under the DPCO and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. This will also include recovery of the excess amount charged along with interest.