MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(SHRI SRIKANT KUMAR JENA)
(a) to (c) Yes Sir. A comparison of prices of few medicine is illustrated as below:-
Name of salt Dosage Pack Average Prices of Difference Market Generic Price of Medicines Branded sold at Jan Medicin Aushadhi es (Rs.) Stores (Rs.)
Antibiotic: 250 mg 10 55.00 11.10 5 times higher
Cijrofloxacin
Pain Killer: 100 mg 10 36.70 3.35 10 times higher
Di;lofenac
Common Cold; 10 mg 10 20.00 2.75 7 times higher
Cetrizme
Fever: 500 mg 10 10.00 2.45. 4 times higher
Paraceiamol
Pain & lOOmg 10 25.00 2.70 9 times higher
Fever
Nimesulide
Cough Syrup 110ml 33.00 13.30 2.5 times higher Bottle
The difference in the prices can be attributed primarily due to following reasons:-
In the case of branded medicines, because of competition, extensive and intensive
promotional efforts are generally required to sell the products which may result in heavy
expenses, whereas in the case of sale of generic drugs through the Jan Aushadhi Stores,
medicines are being supplied directly to the stockists/retailers at comparatively low margins.
In the case of Jan Aushadhi medicines, there is a conscious decision to keep the prices of the
medicines at affordable levels for the benefit of common man unlike . branded medicines the
decision to keep the prices low or high is decided by the company.
In the case of scheduled drugs, the prices of 74 bulk drugs and the formulations
containing any of these scheduled dmgs are controlled under the provision of the Dmgs
(Price Control) order, 1995. NPPA/Govt. fixes or revises prices of scheduled drugs/formulations
as per the provisions of the DPCO, 1995. No one can sell any scheduled drug/formulation at a
price higher than the price fixed by NPPA/Govt. Therefore, there cannot be price variation in
cases of scheduled drugs.
In respect of drugs-not covered under che Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995 i.e.
non-scheduled drugs, manufacturers fix the prices by themselves without seeking the approval of
Government/NPPA. Such prices are normally fixed depending on various factors like the cost of
bulk drugs used in the formulation, cost of excipients, cost of R&D, cost of utilities/packing
material, trade margins, quality assurance cost, landed cost of imports etc.
