Cancer drug prices revised from today; patients may save Rs 3,540 crore annually

Prices of 1,364 anti-cancer medicine formulations have been revised from Monday, November 9, following a government decision to limit trade margins on cancer drugs. The changes are expected to save consumers Rs 3,540.38 crore annually, according to an official release.

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has capped trade margins on 137 anti-cancer drugs, with price reductions reported across multiple brands.

The revised prices follow recommendations made on October 17 by an expert committee constituted under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The NPPA, which operates under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, implemented the measure to reduce the cost of cancer medicines.


As of November 8, 85 pharmaceutical companies had reported revised maximum retail prices (MRPs) for 1,364 formulations covering 121 drugs, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said.

Price cuts of more than 50% have been reported for 679 brands, while the steepest reduction stands at 96.45%.

Why cancer drug prices needed another intervention

The latest exercise comes seven years after the government first introduced trade margin rationalisation for cancer medicines. In 2019, the NPPA capped trade margins at 30% for 42 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs. That exercise brought down the MRPs of 526 brands by up to 90%.

However, the earlier intervention did not prevent margins from rising again.

An analysis cited in TOI's recent reporting found that mark-ups on several cancer medicines covered under the 2019 exercise had increased substantially before the latest price revision. In some cases, mark-ups exceeded 700%, raising questions about whether a one-time price intervention could provide lasting relief to patients.

The All-India Drug Action Network (AIDAN) has argued that limiting MRPs without a continuing mechanism to regulate trade margins could allow excessive mark-ups to return.

The latest intervention expands the earlier exercise to 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines, including several patented drugs. The government has said the move aims to address excessive margins across the distribution and retail chain and improve access to cancer treatment.

What medicines are covered

The list includes immunotherapy medicines used in treating more than 20 types of cancer, along with drugs such as denosumab, pegfilgrastim and bevacizumab.

Several widely used cancer medicines, including pembrolizumab, durvalumab and osimertinib, are covered by the exercise.

The revised prices follow recommendations made on October 17 by an expert committee constituted under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

How patients can check revised prices

Chemists and hospital pharmacies cannot charge more than the revised MRP. Consumers can check medicine prices through the revised MRP printed on packs, the Pharma Sahi Daam mobile application or the NPPA website at nppa.gov.in.

Patients facing overcharging or other medicine pricing-related issues can file complaints through the Pharma Jan Samadhan portal or contact the NPPA helpline at 1800-111-255.

The government expects the price reductions to ease the financial burden on cancer patients and their families.