New Delhi: Providing major relief to cancer patients and their families, the central government has capped the trade margin on 137 anti-cancer drugs. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) decision came into effect on November 9, 2026. Since then, a sharp reduction has been recorded in the maximum retail price (MRP) of several cancer drugs. Prices of some medicines have been reduced by up to 96.45 per cent. The government estimates that the decision will save patients more than Rs 3,500 crore annually.
Under the new system, the maximum trade margin on these medicines has been fixed at 30 per cent. Until now, a significant gap was seen between the purchase price of a drug and the maximum retail price charged from patients. The government has taken this step to control that gap. By November 7, 76 companies had submitted revised prices for 1,225 formulations of 121 drugs.
However, after the new rates came into force, medicine sellers in Delhi are facing confusion over old stock. Shopkeepers are asking how much should now be charged from customers against the old price printed on packs of medicines already purchased. Hospital pharmacies and retail shops must also ensure billing according to the revised price list.
According to government directions, all retailers, hospitals and pharmaceutical institutions will have to follow the revised MRP. They have to display the list of new prices. Patients can check the new prices of medicines on the Pharma Sahi Daam app and the NPPA website. Complaints about overcharging can be made on the NPPA helpline 1800-11-1255.
However, prices have not been reduced uniformly for all cancer drugs. The prices of some expensive patented medicines and single-manufacturer drugs have not changed. Therefore, patients should confirm the revised price of the relevant brand and formulation before buying medicines.
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