Date:02/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/02/stories/2006020203501400.htm

Back NPPA raises bulk drugs, formulations prices

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Feb. 1

THE National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) on Wednesday fixed and revised the prices of a host of formulations and bulk drugs.

According to an official release, it has revised the price of bulk drug Metronidazole and its derivative Metronidazole Benzoate from Rs 470 per kg to Rs 471 per kg and Rs 373 per kg to Rs 401 per kg, respectively. This drug is used in the treatment of Amoebic infection and delivered in the dosage form of oral solids, liquids and injectables.

The revision has been done after conducting a cost price study, which works out to an increase of 0.21 per cent and 7.57 per cent, respectively, in comparison to the earlier notified price, the release said. The revision in price would result in around 1 per cent increase in the formulation price of Metronidazole Benzoate and negligible or nil increase in respect of Metronidazole, the release said.

The authority, after considering the submissions of manufacturers and available information with it, has decided that the existing notified price of bulk drug Chlorpropamide, which is used in the treatment of diabetes, be continued.

In the case of formulations, the authority in its meeting here, considered 384 cases relating to fixation or revision of prices of formulation packs. Out of this, prices were reduced in respect of 112 cases. Upward revision in the prices has taken place in 13 cases based on pricing applications received from different units. In other cases, the authority, after considering the available information, decided that the existing notified prices be continued.

For the first time, the prices have been fixed in respect of 11 formulation packs besides five imported insulin formulations, the release stated. The authority, while approving the prices in respect of all formulation cases, has also taken into account the new norms of conversion cost, packing charges, packing material cost and process loss recently notified.

The reduction in the prices has been taken place in respect of derivative formulations of the bulk drugs namely, Ibuprofen (pain killer), Chloroquine (anti-malarial), Cloxacillin (antibiotic), Theophylline & Salbutamol (respiratory drugs), Betamethasone (corticosteriods), Sulphamethaxole (anti-bacterial), Pyrantal Palmoate (worm infection), vitamin formulations, Erythromycin Estolate (antibiotic), Spironolactone (diuretics), Prednisolone (corticosteroids) and insulin formulations and so on, according to the official release.

The Price Fixation Orders to implement these decisions of the authority are being issued separately. The prices fixed or revised would become effective within 15 days from the date of notification in the official gazette or receipt of the non-ceiling price (NCP) order of the NPPA in this behalf.

Necessary revised price list is to be issued by the manufacturers/importers as required under the norms, the release added. Accordingly, as per the provision, the revised price list in Form-V of the DPCO is to be furnished by the concerned manufacturer(s) to the Government and NPPA, State drug control authorities and distributors, wholesalers and retailers or any other agent, the release said.