Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the pharmaceutical companies which have increased the prices of various medicines including life saving drugs, company-wise;
(b) the reasons for such an increase in the prices of medicines;
(c) whether prior approval of the Government is required for the same; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
(a) to (d): The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) does not maintain information in respect of number of drug Companies which have increased the prices of different drugs. As per provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013), Pharmaceutical Companies may increase the prices of scheduled drugs as per provisions of Para 16 of DPCO, 2013 on the basis of annual wholesale price index (WPI) for preceding calendar year on 1st April every year and as per provisions of Para 20 of DPCO, 2013 manufacturers of Non scheduled formulations may increase the MRP of their formulations maximum up to 10 % of the maximum retail price during preceding twelve months. No specific approval is required from the Government for increase in prices of the drugs.
*******