Cancer drug prices to fall by up to 96% from November 9; consumers set to save Rs 3,502 crore annually

Starting November 9, prices for 137 anti-cancer drugs across various brands will drop significantly after the government capped trade margins. The move is expected to generate an estimated annual savings of Rs 3,502.31 crore for consumers.

The decision follows recommendations issued on October 17 by an expert committee formed under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Subsequently, an official release from the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers confirmed that the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) enforced trade margin caps across the 137 targeted cancer medications.

To date, 76 pharmaceutical companies have turned in revised maximum retail prices (MRPs) for 1,225 formulations across 121 drugs. Price reductions apply to 1,031 of these formulations, with 600 brands reporting cuts exceeding 50 per cent and the steepest decline reaching 96.45 per cent, the release stated.


Additionally, around 10-15 identified drugs not yet launched in India will also fall under Trade Margin Rationalisation (TMR) upon release.

The price capping delivers drastic reductions across several vital cancer treatments:

• Palbopro (Palbociclib 125 mg): Breast cancer capsule by RPG Life Sciences reduced from Rs 40,421.33 to Rs 2,720.
• Abirone (Abiraterone acetate 250 mg): Prostate cancer tablet by Arvincare Pharma cut from Rs 41,250 to Rs 3,218.23.
• Bryxta (Bevacizumab 100 mg): Lung and cervical cancer injection by Zydus Lifesciences lowered from Rs 25,995 to Rs 3,318.
• DenOsteoRel (Denosumab 60 mg): Reliance Life Sciences injection dropped from Rs 24,955 to Rs 6,240.
• Lupiher 2 (Pertuzumab 420 mg): Breast cancer injection by Lupin Limited reduced from its earlier MRP of Rs 83,520 down to Rs 37,358.30.

Under the new directive, retailers, dealers, and hospitals must prominently display the revised price lists on premises and websites, with State Drug Controllers tasked with monitoring compliance, as per the statement.

Consumers can track updated rates through the NPPA portal or the Pharma Sahi Daam app and report violations through designated helplines, it added.