(a) whether different prices are being charged by the drug and medicine
manufacturers for the similar formula drugs under different trade names;
(b) if so, the measures taken by the Government to regulate the prices and to ensure
the uniformity of retail prices of the same formula drugs and medicines; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and the achievements made thereon?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME
IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(SHRI SRIKANT KUMAR JENA)
(a)to(c) : Under the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995 (DPCO, 1995)
the prices of 74 bulk drugs and the formulations containing any of these scheduled drugs
are controlled. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) fixes or revises prices
of scheduled drugs / formulations as per the provisions of the DPCO,95. Under the provisions
of DPCO, 1995, no person is authorized to sell any scheduled formulation (medicine) to a
consumer at a price exceeding the price notified/approved by the NPPA.
In respect of drugs not covered under the DPCO, 1995 i.e. non-scheduled drugs, however,
manufacturers fix the- prices by themselves without seeking the approval of Government /
NPPA. Therefore, difference in the prices of formulations based on same chemical combinations
among different trade names/brands in the non-scheduled category drug is not ruled out.
However, the prices of decontrolled drugs are monitored and suitable action is taken by NPPA,
as per the guidelines, in cases where price increase is more than 10% in a period of one year
on moving basis.