Prices of more than 900 essential medicines, including those for severe infections, heart disease, and diabetes, have increased by up to 1.74% from Tuesday (April 1). The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has made this decision, impacting widely used medicines such as Azithromycin and Ibuprofen.
According to the provisions of the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013, the annual revision of the maximum prices of scheduled medicines is based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). For the year 2024-25, the maximum prices of scheduled drugs have been increased by 0.00551% based on the annual change in WPI, effective from April 1, 2024. Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel, recently informed the Lok Sabha that NPPA also determines the retail prices of new drugs.
NPPA stated that the WPI change in 2024 is recorded at 1.74028%. The authority, operating under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, reviews the prices of essential medicines annually. These drugs are listed in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM).
List of Medicines with Revised Prices
According to the report, the ceiling price of 250 mg and 500mg of antibiotic Azithromycin will be ₹11.87 per strip and ₹23.98 per strip respectively.
• The Price of Amoxicillin & Clavulanic Acid (Dry Syrup) will be ₹2.09 per ml.
• Diclofenac (Painkiller): Maximum price set at ₹2.09 per tablet.
• Ibuprofen (Painkiller):
– 200 mg: ₹0.72 per tablet.
– 400 mg: ₹1.22 per tablet.
• Diabetes medication (Dapagliflozin + Metformin Hydrochloride + Glimepiride): ₹12.74 per tablet.
• Diabetes Medication (Dapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Glimepiride): ₹12.74 per tablet
• Acyclovir (Antiviral):
200 mg tablet: ₹7.74 per tablet
400 mg tablet: ₹13.90 per tablet
• Hydroxychloroquine (Antimalarial):
200 mg tablet: ₹6.47 per tablet
400 mg tablet: ₹14.04 per tablet
Drug manufacturers may increase the maximum retail prices of these formulations based on this WPI, and no prior approval of the Centre is necessary.
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