Centre-States partnership advances reforms for sustainable rural water delivery (See 'Corp Brief') Embrace AI and Emerging Technologies, but Keep Compassion: Nadda (See 'Corp Brief') Governor of Telangana interacts with Meghalaya student delegation (See 'Corp Brief') Digital India BHASHINI, Current AI & Kalpa Impact launch VYOMA Innovation Challenge (See 'Corp Brief') Companies Act - Auditor's remark stating that company has an internal audit system which needs to be strengthened, does not amount to 'qualification', and failure to furnish explanation on such remark does not attract penal liability: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Chouhan launches 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' from Raisen, MP (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - Special Courts under PMLA cannot take cognizance of prosecution complaint without first giving accused opportunity of hearing, as mandated under first proviso to Sec 223(1) of BNSS: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Gadkari reviews quality of NH Projects in West Bengal and AP (See 'Corp Brief') Digital India BHASHINI & DPIIT sign MoU for Multilingual Access Across India's Investment Ecosystem (See 'Corp Brief') NI Act - After adoption of electronic clearance system, cheque return memo or bank endorsement need not bear seal or signature to be acted upon under Sections 138 and 146: HC (See 'Legal Desk') National Workshop on R&D in Water to drive Bharat's Next Wave of Water Innovation (See 'Corp Brief') PM SVANidhi completes Six Years of Empowering Street Vendors (See 'Corp Brief') DCA reviews implementation of Legal Metrology Reforms in N-E and UTs (See 'Corp Brief') Raksha Mantri & UP Chief Minister inaugurate 'Nausena Shaurya Vatika' in Lucknow (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Offences u/s 68 and 235A of Code can be prosecuted only before competent Special Court in manner prescribed u/s 236 of Code: NCLT (See 'Legal Desk') A Highway bringing New Possibilities to Heart of Central India: Boregaon to Shahpur (See 'Corp Brief') National Biodiversity Authority realises Rs. 21.26 Crore through Benefit Sharing Mechanism (See 'Corp Brief') Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission crosses Landmark Milestone of 90 Crore ABHA Accounts (See 'Corp Brief') SEBI - Assessee's request for inspection of documents cannot be allowed where these form part of SEBI's internal administrative process & are not necessary for replying to SCN: SAT (See 'Legal Desk') Moratorium under the IBC (See CORP EINSICHT)

NPPA monitors prices of scheduled & non-scheduled medicines

Published: Jul 30, 2024

By TIOLCorplaws News Service

NEW DELHI, JULY 30, 2024: AS per the provisions of Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013), formulations listed in Schedule-I of the DPCO are defined as scheduled formulation under section 2(1)(zb) of DPCO, 2013. Formulations not included in Schedule-I are defined under Para 2(1)(v) of DPCO, 2013 as non-scheduled formulation. Thus, both schedule and non-schedule drugs are covered under DPCO, 2013. 

As per the extant provisions of DPCO, 2013, the ceiling prices of scheduled medicines are revised annually on the basis of Wholesale Price Index (WPI) (all commodities) for preceding calendar year by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), on or before 1st April of every year and is notified by the Government on the 1st day of April every year. The details of price fixed by NPPA are available at NPPA's website i.e. nppaindia.nic.in.  In case of non-scheduled formulation (branded or generic), as per para 20 of DPCO, 2013, no manufacturers can increase Maximum Retail Price (MRP) by more than 10% of MRP during preceding 12 months.  The maximum permissible increase in prices, as per the provisions of DPCO, 2013 for scheduled and non-scheduled drugs may or may not be availed by their respective manufacturers based on commercial considerations and market dynamics.

Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1945 and Rules thereunder, manufacturers of drugs are required to comply with conditions of manufacturing licence and the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).  As per the Drugs Rules, 1945, the manufacturing, testing, labeling, packaging, storage and distribution are required to be carried out in compliance with the conditions of license including the Good manufacturing practices (GMP) prescribed under the Schedule M of the Drugs Rules, 1945. In case of violation, the Licensing Authority is empowered to take action as per the said Act and Rules.

NPPA monitors the prices of scheduled as well as non-scheduled medicines under DPCO, 2013.  Action is taken against companies, found selling formulations at prices higher than the permissible price, and the overcharged amount is recovered from the company as per the relevant provisions of the DPCO, 2013. During the financial year 2023-24, Rs. 72.73 crore was recovered from the defaulting companies.

This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel in Rajya Sabha in reply to a question today.

TIOL CORP SEARCH

TIOL GROUP WEBSITES