NPPA Caps Prices of 84 Drug Combinations, Including Empagliflozin Variants

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has set 84 drug formulations' retail prices, including 36 formulations of empagliflozin, a diabetes drug that was originally developed by German firm Boehringer Ingelheim. It was done during the NPPA's 132nd meeting on 29 April. The pricing regulator does this under the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) to make the medicines affordable.

The action comes in the wake of the patent of empagliflozin expiring on 11 March, opening the way for several generic versions to be launched in the market. Their introduction has caused prices to fall by 80–85%, necessitating regulatory action to introduce standardized retail prices. The new price list also features some combinations of anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic medicines. Applications were filed by big pharmaceutical companies like Mankind Pharma, Alkem Laboratories, Lupin, Macleods Pharmaceuticals, and Micro Labs.

Combinations anti-diabetics with empagliflozin and glimepiride, dapagliflozin, and sitagliptin were some of the approved ones as per filings with Mankind Pharma and USV. Others within the updated list are combinations such as mefenamic acid in combination with paracetamol, anti-inflammatories and blood pressure treatment with telmisartan, cilnidipine, and metoprolol succinate extended release. The NPPA has cautioned that any firm which does not follow the new price will be obligated to refund the excess charged along with interest as per regulatory norms.

The fixation of prices is a part of NPPA's regular regulatory oversight duty under the DPCO with the aim to control both controlled and decontrolled drugs and also ensure affordability in the pharma market.