Govt caps ceiling price of four emergency-use medicines

New Delhi: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed the ceiling price of four emergency-use medicines and 37 other drugs including antibiotics and painkillers.

This medicines include medicines for heart ailments, inflammation, diabetes, vitamins and those used for treating infections.

The manufacturers in order to gain profits from the common drugs sell the branded or the generic or both medicines at a higher price than the ceiling price (plus GST).

Those manufacturers with an MRP lower than the ceiling price can continue selling in the present MRP.

The four drugs of emergency-use include Ipratropium, sodium Nitroprusside, Diltiazem and Povidone iodine.

Ipratropium is used to prevent wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness. Its ceiling price has been fixed at Rs 2.96 per ml.

Sodium nitroprusside is an injectable and is used to rapidly lower BP in hypertensive emergencies, during surgery to reduce bleeding and is case of acute heart failure. It was fixed at Rs 28.99 per ml.

Diltiazem is used to treat high BP and chest pain and its price has been fixed at Rs 26.72 per capsule.

Povidone Iodine is used a skin disinfectant before and after surgery and to treat minor wounds. It has been fixed at Rs 6.26 per gram.

The prices of paracetamol, atorvastatin, amoxycillin and metformin. Other anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular drugs that have been covered for the price fixation by the NPPA are Aceclofenac, Paracetamol and Trypsin Chymotrypsin.

These notified prices are free of GST, which may be charged additionally if needed. The retailers and dealers have been asked to prominently display the new prices. Non-compliance with the new rates are punishable under the DPCO and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Also Read: 50% increase in price for essential medicines used to treat glaucoma, asthma, thalassemia, etc