Regulatory Body Hikes Price Of Over 900 Essential Medicines; New Rate Kicks In Today

Effective April 1, 2024, the NPPA authorized a price increase of up to 1.74% for over 900 essential drugs listed on the NLEM, based on the previous year's Wholesale Pricing Index (WPI).

Prices of over 900 essential drugs have been increased by up to 1.74% starting April 1.

Source : PTI

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has announced an increase in the prices of over 900 essential drugs, up to 1.74 per cent, from April 1.

The price of all the medicines on the government's National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) are regulated by NPPA, and each year, the prices are adjusted based on the Wholesale Pricing Index (WPI) from the previous year.

In a statement, the regulatory body said, "Based on the wholesale price index (WPI) data provided by the Office of the Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the annual change in WPI works out as (+) 1.74028% during the calendar year 2024 over the corresponding period in 2023… the manufacturers may increase the maximum retail price of scheduled formulations on the basis of this WPI and no prior approval of the government in this regard shall be required."

Some Of The Items Which Will Get Costlier:

• Commonly used antibiotic azithromycin will now have a ceiling price of Rs 11.87 and Rs 23.98 per tablet for its 250 milligram (mg) and 500 mg versions respectively.
• Anti-bacterial dry syrups having a formulation of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid will have a ceiling price of Rs 2.09 per millilitre (ml).
• Anti-virals such as acyclovir will have a ceiling price of Rs 7.74 and Rs 13.90 per tablet for its 200 mg and 400 mg dosages.
• Anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine will have a ceiling price of Rs 6.47 and Rs 14.04 per tablet for its 200 mg and 400 mg dosage versions respectively.
• Painkiller drug diclofenac will now have a ceiling price of Rs 2.09 per tablet.
• Ibuprofen tablets will be priced at Rs 0.72 and Rs 1.22 per tablet for its 200 mg and 400 mg dosage versions respectively.
• Combination of dapagliflozin, metformin hydrochloride (extended release), and glimepiride tablets for type 2 diabetes will be priced around Rs 12.74 per tablet.