Cancer treatment hurts the body, and the cost of medicines can also push whole families into debt. To help such patients, the Central Government has ordered big price cuts on 137 life-saving cancer medicine. Some prices are being cut by as much as 96.45 percent.
The new prices come into effect from Monday. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which controls medicine prices, issued the order. It says cancer patients will save about Rs 3,540 crore every year. In this round, prices of 534 drugs have been cut in total. These include the 137 listed cancer medicine, covering both patented medicines and combination drugs.
Trade margin capped at 30 percent
To stop shops and distributors from making too much profit, the NPPA has set clear rules. The distributor price of March 2026 will be the base price at which the maker sells to stockists. The final MRP is this price plus a trade margin of no more than 30 percent, plus GST.
For example, if a company sells a medicine to a distributor for Rs 70 and the old MRP was Rs 300, the new price would come down to about Rs 100, taxes included. If the new price is lower than the old MRP, the medicine must be sold at the new, lower price. If the old price is already lower than the new figure, the old price stays.
Key drugs covered
The cut also covers costly patented drugs used for different kinds of cancer. These include Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab, Osimertinib, Palbociclib and Abemaciclib. The rules apply to all forms, doses and combinations of these drugs. The NPPA has said it will keep reviewing the list as needed.
How to check the new prices
The government has also shared some steps so that buyers are not cheated:
- Pharma Sahi Daam app: Patients and families can download this official app to check the current MRP of any medicine.
- Report overcharging: If a medical shop keeps selling at the old, higher price and does not pass on the cut, you can file a complaint.
- Toll-free helpline: Complaints can be registered by calling 1800-111-255.
