New drug policy to cut cap prices of 650 common drugs

Prices of 652 commonly used medicines under 27 therapeutic areas are likely to come down by 10-15% as soon as the new drug policy is notified.

MUMBAI: Prices of 652 commonly used medicines under 27 therapeutic areas are likely to come down by 10-15% once the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy 2012 is notified, which is expected in a few days. The policy, which caps prices of essential drugs, was finalized recently after several twists and turns over the years. 

It will cover a wide range of drugs, such as anti-infectives (Cetrizine), cardiac (Aten) and gastro-intestinal medicines (Ocid), pain-killers (Paracetamol) and anti-diabetic drugs (insulin). 

Imported medicines which are part of the essential drugs list will, for the first time, come under the policy's purview and face regulatory control. For example, prices of insulin, which companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk import into the country, will now be capped.