The Hindu : Business : NPPA hikes prices of six drugs

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 25, 2010
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Business

Business

NPPA hikes prices of six drugs

The increase in prices follows hike in three bulk drugs rates

NEW DELHI: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) on Friday said it has increased prices of six drugs, including anti-asthmatic and pain killers.

At the same time the authority has cut prices of 29 other drugs following a meeting of the NPPA held last week, which reviewed prices of 59 formulations for treating ailments like diabetes, allergy and asthama along with pain killers.

“Out of the 59 formulations which were considered, there is increase in prices of only six, while there has been a decrease in the prices of 29 formulations,” NPPA Chairman S. M. Jharwal told PTI.

The companies which would be affected by the price revision of drugs include Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Novartis, Sanofi Aventis, GSK, Aventis Pharma and Cipla, the NPPA said.

Aventis Pharma's pain killer Novalgin will now cost Rs.27.52 for 30 ml vial as against Rs.22.28 earlier. However, 500 mg tablets of the same will come cheaper at Rs.7.01 as against Rs.7.28 earlier.

The price of Novartis India's Vitalux plus TR tablets which is indicated for maximising vision and health of the eye, was reduced from Rs.256.91 to Rs.247.39 for a pack of 30 tablets.

Similarly Cipla's anti-asthmatic Asthalin syrup, which costs Rs.11.80 per 100 ml, will now be priced at Rs.12.98.

Mr. Jharwal said prices of 24 formulations had been left unchanged, while adding that the effect of the price increase would be minimal.

The increase in prices follows the NPPA's decision to hike the rates of three bulk drugs. “The prices have been revised based on cost price study,” Mr. Jharwal said.

According to a notification on December 21, NPPA has revised the price of human insulin to Rs.39.5 lakh as compared to the previous price of Rs.33.96 lakh a kg. NPPA has also revised the price of Cefotaxime Sodium to Rs.7,025 from Rs.6,805 a kg. It has also revised the price of aspirin to Rs.173 from Rs.148 a kg. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Business