CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Bhopal: There is relief for patients and families struggling with the high cost of cancer treatment. The central government’s drug price regulator, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), has revised the maximum retail prices (MRPs) of 543 cancer medicine brands and packs. Prices of some medicines have been reduced by more than 93 percent. The move follows the decision to cap trade margins on 137 non-scheduled cancer medicines at 30 percent. The new prices will take effect from 9 November 2026.
Which medicines have become cheaper, and by how much? According to the price list issued by the NPPA, reductions in some key medicines are as follows:
– Palbopro: The price of a pack of 21 capsules of 125 mg has been reduced from Rs 40,421.33 to Rs 2,720. The reduction is about 93.3 percent.
– Isogen: The price of a pack of 21 capsules of 100 mg has been reduced from Rs 24,505 to Rs 2,068.92.
– Samtepa: The price of a 100 mg injection has been reduced from Rs 80,071.86 to Rs 7,150.33.
– Bevacizab: The price of a 400 mg vial has been reduced from Rs 65,205.09 to Rs 8,956.75.
– Armotraz: The price of 10 tablets of 1 mg has been reduced from Rs 784.71 to Rs 146.78.
– Abirapro: The price of a pack of 120 tablets of 250 mg has been reduced from Rs 28,744 to Rs 5,768.
The impact is not the same on every medicine. The price cuts have not been uniform across all medicines. The MRP of some expensive medicines has not been changed. For example, the listed price of Keytruda 100 mg injection, used in cancer treatment, remains Rs 2,16,500. Therefore, the actual relief for patients will depend on the prescribed medicine, brand, dosage and duration of treatment.
The new prices will apply from 9 November. The government has made it clear that from the prescribed date, hospitals and chemists will have to provide these medicines only at the revised prices. Hospitals will also have to display the new prices in their pharmacies and on their websites. Patients can check the revised prices of medicines through the NPPA website and the Pharma Sahi Daam app.
The decision is an important step towards reducing the cost of cancer treatment, but its real benefit will be realised only if hospitals and medicine sellers comply with the new rates.
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