The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has decided to increase the maximum price of 8 schedule drugs. These drugs are used to treat asthma, TB, glaucoma along with many other diseases.
The NPPA has allowed maximum prices of eleven scheduled formulations of eight drugs to be increased by 50% from their current maximum prices, the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs said.
Earlier, NPPA had decided to increase the prices of 21 and 9 formulation drugs by 50% in 2019 and 2020.
The government has revised the prices of these drugs and formulations…
- Atropine injection (0.6 mg/ml), used to treat slow heart rate.
- Streptomycin (750mg and 1000mg formulation) injection powder is used to treat TB.
- Asthma medicine Salbutamol 2mg and 4mg tablets and 5mg/ml Respirator.
- Pilocarpine 2% drop is used in the treatment of glaucoma
- Cefadroxil Tablet 500mg is used to treat urinary tract infection (UTI).
- Deferoxamine 500mg Injection and Lithium Tablets 300mg for the treatment of Thalassemia.
Decision on application of government bid- drug manufacturers On increasing the maximum price of these drugs, the government said that the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) is receiving continuous applications from manufacturers to increase the prices of these drugs.
Increase in prices of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) by pharmaceutical companies was attributed to increase in drug prices and changes in exchange rates.
Companies have also applied to discontinue some drugs due to non-availability, the ministry said. Most of these drugs are inexpensive and are used as first-line treatment in public health programs in the country.
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