NPPA slashes cancer drug prices by up to 86%

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has announced ''significannt price reduction'' for certain major cancer drugs, of up to 86 per cent in some cases, in its latest regulatory action.

With this the drug price regulator has reduced the costs of around 1,450 drugs since late 2016.

NPPA cut the price of Iressa, a drug mainly used for breast and lung cancer, by 86 per cent. Other drugs whose prices were reduced include Doceaqualip (37 per cent) and Levin (25 per cent), the regulator said on Monday.

The drug prices regulator, in a tweet, said that since March 2016, there has been "significant price reduction" by up to 86 per cent in some major cancer drugs, and by up to 42 per cent in major diabetic drugs.

Among the major cancer drugs, the price of Iressa of Astrazeneca Pharma India, which cost Rs29,259 (before revision), has been cut down by 86 per cent to Rs3,977.

The prices of other important cancer drugs, such as Nanoxel (Rs1,035) and Frastim (Rs1,273) have been slashed by 55 per cent and 51 per cent respectively.

The price of diabetic drug, Glypride by Sun Pharmaceuticals has been brought down by 42 per cent to Rs53 (from Rs91 earlier).

Other pharma firms whose drug prices have been revised downwards are Dr Reddy's Lab, Abbot Healthcare, Micro Labs, Dabur India, Lupin and others.

Apart from cancer drugs, important medicines used in the treatment of diabetes, bacterial infections and blood pressure have been capped by the government, thereby reducing the cost by an average of around 25 to 50 per cent.

Meanwhile, reports said, Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, a premier hospital for cancer treatment, has played a part in lowering the prices.

The hospital had sent a list of drugs it believed to be overpriced to the government.