The formulations cover a wide range of medicines, including those used to treat hypertension, diabetes, HIV, heart disease and eye infections, with the aim of making them more affordable for patients.
The notification was issued on July 8. It is a retail price fixation order for new drug formulations under the DPCO, 2013, and not a price reduction order.
Among the medicines included, Amlodipine + Bisoprolol + Telmisartan Tablets, used for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure), have been fixed at Rs 14.74 per tablet.
The retail price of Nepafenac + Moxifloxacin Ophthalmic Solution, an eye drop used after eye surgery and for the treatment of bacterial eye infections, has been fixed at Rs 68.64 per ml.
Similarly, Clopidogrel + Aspirin + Atorvastatin Capsules, which are used to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, have been priced at Rs 6.37 per capsule.
The NPPA also reiterated that retailers and dealers are required to prominently display the price lists provided by manufacturers.
Quoting the DPCO, 2013, the authority said, “As per para 24(4) of DPCO, 2013, every retailer and dealer shall display the price list and the supplementary price list, if any, as furnished by the manufacturer, on a conspicuous part of the premises where he carries on business in a manner so as to be easily accessible to any person wishing to consult the same.”
The notification further stated that if any manufacturer or marketing company fails to comply with the notified retail prices, it will be liable to deposit the overcharged amount along with applicable interest.
“In case the retail price of any of the aforesaid formulations is not complied with, as per instant price notification and notes specified hereinabove, then the concerned manufacturer/marketing company shall be liable to deposit the overcharged amount along with the interest thereon under the provisions of the DPCO, 2013 read with the Essential Commodities Act, 1955,” the notification stated.
