India cuts MRPs for trade-margin-capped cancer drugs by up to 93%

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) in India has revised the maximum retail prices (MRPs) for 543 trade margin-capped cancer drug brands and pack sizes. According to reports, some generic and biosimilar medicines have seen price reductions of up to 93 per cent, surpassing earlier government projections of up to 70 per cent cuts. However, high-selling innovator drugs and multinational therapies remain unaffected.

Key Price Revisions and Limits

• Palbociclib Brands: RPG Life Sciences' Palbopro dropped from ₹40,421.33 to ₹2,720 per unit (a 93.3 per cent reduction), while ISOGEN's 100 mg pack saw a 91.6 per cent drop.
• Unaffected Innovator Drugs: Swiss drugmaker Roche's Avastin (Bevacizumab) remained unchanged at ₹1.23 lakh per 400 mg vial, even though biosimilar versions by Abbott and Torrent Pharma fell by 86 per cent and 69 per cent respectively.
• Blockbuster Treatments: Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) and various formulations of Nivolumab by BMS India and Dr Reddy's stayed at their previous prices.

Practical Implications and Criticisms

While the reductions may offer savings for patients requiring repeated doses of generic or biosimilar options, actual benefits depend on prescribed brands, specific treatment regimens, and whether hospitals pass on the revised prices.

Patient advocacy groups, including the All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN), have raised concerns regarding data gaps and the exclusion of Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) from trade margin rationalisation. Critics argue that hospital markups remain too liberal and that relying on self-reported company data without independent verification limits the broader impact of the intervention.

Verification

Stakeholders and patients can verify the updated price lists and notifications directly through the official website of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.