In a significant step for the pharmaceutical industry, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revised ceiling prices for four critical formulations listed under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), 2022, bringing down prices to ensure greater affordability.
The decision came as part of NPPA’s ongoing effort to rationalize drug pricing under its approved methodology.
The revised ceiling prices include a reduction in the cost of ipratropium respirator solution (250 mcg/mL) used in nebulizers, from Rs. 3.20 to Rs. 2.96 per mL.
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Sodium nitroprusside injection (10 mg/mL), an intravenous vasodilator, saw a price drop from Rs. 32.71 to Rs. 28.99 per mL. The widely used antiseptic povidone iodine ointment (10%) was brought down from Rs. 6.59 to Rs. 6.26 per gram. Additionally, for the first time, a ceiling price of Rs. 26.72 per capsule has been fixed for diltiazem modified release 180 mg, used for hypertension and chest pain.
However, price fixation for paracetamol injection 150mg/mL (5 mL) and DPT vaccine was deferred. The former lacked market data, while the latter is predominantly supplied under the Universal Immunization Programme, warranting further evaluation.
To date, NPPA has set ceiling prices for 764 formulations aligned with NLEM 2022, reinforcing its commitment to making essential medicines more accessible while maintaining transparency in pricing process.
