The government has fixed the prices of 37 essential medicines. Due to this, medicines for problems like diabetes, heart disease, and infection will now be available at cheaper rates. Know which medicines have been included and what the new prices are.

The central government has fixed the retail price for 37 essential medicines and their formulations. The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers issued a notification on Saturday under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. This price control has been issued by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). Its purpose is to make life-saving and commonly used medicines more affordable.

On which medicines will the new rate be applicable?

The government's new pricing policy covers drugs used to treat diseases such as infections, heart disease, inflammation, diabetes, and vitamin deficiencies. According to reports, these new prices will apply to 35 formulations manufactured and sold by major pharma companies. These include popular medications such as Paracetamol, Atorvastatin, Amoxycillin, Metformin, and some innovative fixed-dose combinations used to treat chronic diseases.

Some major modified drugs and their prices

A major change has been seen in the Aceclofenac + Paracetamol + Trypsin Chymotrypsin combination tablet. It is used as an anti-inflammatory. The price of this tablet has been fixed at ₹ 13 for Dr Reddy's Laboratories and ₹ 15.01 for Cadila Pharmaceuticals.

The new price of Atorvastatin 40 mg + Clopidogrel 75 mg tablet used for heart-related diseases has been fixed at ₹ 25.61.

At the same time, oral suspensions of Cefixime and Paracetamol used for children have also been included in the new price. Apart from this, the price of Vitamin D supplement Cholecalciferol drops and Diclofenac injection has been fixed at ₹ 31.77 per ml.

Diabetes, cholesterol, and asthma medicines are also included

Combination medicines considered essential for type 2 diabetes, such as Empagliflozin, Sitagliptin, and Metformin Hydrochloride, will now be sold at ₹16.50 per tablet. Similarly, medicines such as Atorvastatin-Ezetimibe (cholesterol control) and Bilastine-Montelukast (asthma and allergy) have also been brought under price control.

Does the price of medicines include taxes?

NPPA has clarified that these notified prices are GST-free, i.e., GST can be added separately if required. All manufacturing companies will have to issue revised price lists in Form-V through IPDMS (Integrated Pharmaceutical Database Management System). A copy of this will have to be sent to NPPA and State Drug Controllers.

Action will be taken if the new pricing is not accepted

In case of violation of the new pricing rules of the government, action will be taken under DPCO and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. In this, the excess amount charged will be recovered along with interest.

This notification will replace all price orders issued earlier. From now on, these revised rates will be considered valid. Officials say that this step will improve the availability, transparency, and affordability of essential medicines.

PC:Moneycontrol