NPPA to pass on duty cut on controlled drugs to consumers

Jayashree Padmini - New Delhi

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) will revise/fix prices of a set of formulations containing bulk drugs which got excise and peak customs duty cut. The decision was taken at its February 26 meeting.

The authority will notify the same in the gazette in a couple of days, said the drug price watchdog’s Chairman, Arun Kshetrapal. He, however, declined to give the details of the drugs and formulation packs of different manufacturers that will see a price cut according to the duty benefit accrued to these drugs.

NPPA monitors and fixes prices of drugs in the controlled category under the 1995 Drugs Price Control Order. The prices fixed/revised, would become effective within 15 days from the date of notification in the official gazette or the receipt of the non-ceiling, price (NCP) order of the NPPA in this behalf, as per Para 14(1) of DPCO, 1995.

The manufacturers/importers need to issue necessary revised price list under sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph 14 of the DPCO, 1995.

Accordingly, as per the provision, the revised price list in Form-V of the DPCO is to be furnished by the concerned manufacturer to the Government and NPPA, State Drug Control Authorities and distributors, wholesalers and retailers or any other agent.

The manufacturers are also required to work out the pro-rata prices of different pack size as the case may be in terms of SO No 83 (E) dated 27.01.98.